Streaming with contraints

Lobstah wrote:
Ok...sorry, but I disagree with the last several posts.
I believe the technology IS here, and has been for some time.
The OP is really talking about streaming via cell networks, which is here, but unlike your home, you pay for the bandwidth you use.
As for content...the content on the internet is unbelievable, both in quantity AND quality. Amazon, Hulu, Netflix, ALL are now offering original content produced by them. HBO-Go, Max-Go, etc. Almost every major network allows streaming from their site.
Yes, it's true, you're not always watching "real-time", but seriously...is this important? I want to watch content on MY terms, not a network's where it's riddled with ads and other crap.

I use a lot of mobile bandwidth for work. I do webexs and conference calls all the time. BUT...I wouldn't be doing any of that, if my company didn't pay for my business usage. They pay for my hotspot, my cellphone (including tethering), so work bandwidth is a non-issue. If the OP's company isn't doing that, then they're pretty damned cheap.

That leaves my family on a shared data plan, which is susceptible to overages, but they're not idiots, and they don't abuse it. Yet. :)

In short, the technology is there, and the bandwidth is there on the towers too, but the major carriers (Verizon, ATT, and Sprint, sorta) are reaping a lot of revenue by charging for it.
It's not that it's not available, it's that they charge more than we'd all like to pay. Welcome to the free market. Years ago, when it was clear that email was taking the place of TONS of snail mail, the USPS should have gotten in to the internet business. Email accounts, bandwidth, etc...would have been a perfect move for them.

Jim

Thanks Jim. That about sums it up. Thank you for clarifying what I was fumbling with. I wish my work would pay for my net. That's banks for you. But I believe this post hits the nail on the head with respect to my issue.