When are we going to get to a point where Internet or Web access is seen with the same demands as a utility? Take power (electricity) or heating/cooling for example…
I think it is right around the corner. Here are 3 characteristics, as I see it, that will help dictate access technologies (networks) as a utility:
1) Ease of access.
Or open access. (when you plug a power chord into a wall receptacle, it just works.) Nobody has to touch it to put special proxy settings on the appliance/device, there is no special account you need to have, no one is trying to track the use… Was there a time when we tried to manage what got plugged into a electricity receptacle? Oh yeah, i remember personal space heaters that always tripped breakers…
2) Reliability expectations.
It always works. Well 99% of the time anyway. Can you imagine a time when teachers do not have to spend time (20 minutes) trouble shooting why students can’t log in, or why a website doesn’t work, or devices will not connect to the wireless, or why certain iPad Apps work at home but not at school? The expected exceptions would of course be natural disasters, etc.
3) Sustainable funding.
Leaders are now getting close to line item budgets where Network equipment for up to date through puts/ increased speeds is the norm and simply just part of business. Much like, the electric bill, gas bill, of telephone bill. It’s NOT the exception, it’s the norm. Not funded through special called board meetings or special BG projects.
(posted from my iPhone)