On Sun, 26 Jan 1997, Jonathan Heiliger wrote:
What if web site, or content business models change? What if people deem their content so valuable that besides (or rather than) charging the consumer, they want to charge the network provider access to the content? (ala MTV)
MTV is great evidence for the argument that there is no single answer. Some cable networks pay to be placed on local cable systems, some are paid for being on there. The cost of content for a cable provider might be significant, or it might cancel out to nil.
Networks will charge if they can get away with it. If you don't like it, then don't pay.
Doesn't quite work this way: It depends on the customer base (w/ cable TV/DSS/ect.). If TCI has an installed base large enough, content providor (MTV) will pay to have their content. If I am a new access providor with a relativly small install base, I will need to but content in order to attract my customer base. The model doesn't quite work the same for the Internet, or does it? As a small providor I am willing to "buy" peering and transit from the larger (based on customers) providors in order to get/give better access. The other case for buying transit is to get to a better backbone, but I think that is a different discussion.