Who needs a 'Killer App'? Two Perspectives on Content in Residential Broadband Networks

This paper describes the deployment of residential broadband networks by relating two parallel but contrasting stories. Story 1 considers network providers' search for a killer application to drive demand for broadband networks, while Story 2 suggests that consumers have already found a killer application in e-mail and basic connectivity. It appears that residential broadband networks are currently being developed with a Story 1 perspective in mind. Story 2 should be assessed in the context of its historical persistence and significance. The implications for future development of residential broadband networks are considered when both stories are accepted as plausible. Keywords residential broadband networks, case study, socio-technical systems, actor-network theory

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2002
• Where: ACJ
• Authors: Catherine A. Middleton
• Keywords: ACJ 2002, Broadband Networks, Killer Application, Residential Broadband Networks