Cheaper broadband is critical for next gen consoles - Hirai

[gaming ultima]

Sony Computer Entertainment America president Kaz Hirai has told an American senate body that cheaper and more widespread broadband will be essential if the next-generation consoles are to reach their full potential.

In one of the clearest signs yet that Sony's plans for the PlayStation 3 see a broadband connection as being a core element of the console's offering, Hirai compared high-speed Internet access to the all-pervasive nature of air conditioning systems.

"For the next generation console," he explained to the Congressional Internet Caucus, "online is going to be like air conditioning in a car. You're going to need it."

The metaphor might not carry over all that well in Europe - where air conditioning is somewhat less common than in the USA - but Hirai's meaning is clear, and he went on to expand on his point at some length.

Broadband in the USA needs to get cheaper before entertainment companies and consumers alike can benefit from it fully, he warned the Caucus (a political group made up of US senators and congressmen whose aim is to educate American politicians about the Internet). He pointed out that at present, high-speed internet access in the USA costs around $40, with online gaming or other content often charging an additional fee above that.

While the PlayStation 3 is unlikely to arrive before late 2006 - by which stage the broadband industry will hopefully have matured significantly - Hirai's warning should serve as a wake-up call not only in the USA, but also in Europe.

While some European states are extremely well-progressed in terms of broadband roll-out, others lag far behind other developed countries. If, as Sony expects, content delivery such as games, movies and music moves online in the coming years, this could leave those states at a significant disadvantage.

[Omega Blue]

While the PlayStation 3 is unlikely to arrive before late 2006

this is how rumors turn into facts.


besides that little mix up, im glad to see someone outside the US stess this piont. i pay 40$ for a 3.4Mbit connection. i'd like for them to either make the speed faster or make it cheaper.

[gaming ultima]

While the PlayStation 3 is unlikely to arrive before late 2006

this is how rumors turn into facts.


besides that little mix up, im glad to see someone outside the US stess this piont. i pay 40$ for a 3.4Mbit connection. i'd like for them to either make the speed faster or make it cheaper.

hay i never said that, it was in the quote, not me

[Omega Blue]

i never said you said it, all i said is that the article said that. but the quote made it look like you said it, then you accused me of saying you said it. but either way i fixed it.

[gaming ultima]

'ignorant article reporter wrote:' LOL

[pudge]

they better keep the same adaptor for the ps3 the same as the ps2 dont really want to buy another one

[watashi]

Yeah well they better cheaper the internet, Internet is not only a source, it's the future of our life...Except for AI Robots, seeing that movie is like then what about Rosie from The Jetsons O_O lol


-Watashi, atashi is for a girl so I'm a guy...that's if you know you're japanese

[Cody]

its not just price its areas that have it like where i am moving to i will probably only be able to get dial up for almost a year untill storm( a isp) sets up a wireless connection http://www.storm.ca/Wireless.html

[Radium]

I ma quite happy with my broadband. i have 10.00Mb. Not bragging but that's what i have for €30 a month.

[Seb]

I ma quite happy with my broadband. i have 10.00Mb. Not bragging but that's what i have for €30 a month.

Wow that's impressive. Who is your ISP? And are you in America?

[Evolution]

He uses Euros so how can he be in America, they dont use euros in America, do they?

[Cody]

mine should be 40$ a month for 10.00Mbps of course i wont be able to get it for a while

[Dragonlance]

Is cable around 1Mbps? JW. Im prolly wrong though, but thats the best you can get in this crappy state.

[pudge]

when i goto my local network connection it says link speed: 100 Mps is that the speed of my internet?

[richjwild]

lol no thats ur network speed, how fast data can go down ur ethernet cable. id give you a link to a speed test but i dont know any sorry

[gaming ultima]

where do you live pudge? if you tell me i can find a good bandwidth test for you

[Dragonlance]

I have wireless network and its only 11Mbps while my internet transfer rate is 1Mbps






I think....

[pudge]

i live in ontario,canada

[Cody]

yah pudge my brother/sister! where abouts in ontario?

[pudge]

toronto

[Cody]

oh ya i have been there a few times have you ever been to ottawa?

[Blake]

You guys might want to consider keeping this talk in the PM system. Otherwise a location thread could be started but this has gone off topic.

[Seb]

Cummon guys. Stick to the topic. Talk about where you live via a Instant Messenger, not in a Next Gen Broadband Thread.

[Cody]

lol good point so i will get back on topic can everyone post there thoughts on this http://www.storm.ca/Wireless.html

[multiboy]

it's funny, i keep hearing people talking about how high prices are etc...
I live in NZ and pay $70 a month for 128k adsl (unlimited d/l).

lol.

and the ps2 came out here at NZD $1000
the exchange rate i think is 65 NZ cents for a US dollar?
that works out to $650 USD for a PS2