ADSL-the gateway to video on demand services?

There has been much talk about digital satellite, optical fibre, cable and terrestrial transmission systems. These have been proclaimed as vital arteries of the Information Superhighway, but quietly in the background a new form of high speed data delivery mechanism has been emerging. Considerable work has gone into expanding the capacity of standard domestic telephone lines to carry high bandwidth traffic. This enables multi-channel video on demand services from file servers located in local exchanges and high speed Internet access to be carried directly to people's homes and offices. Major trials are being carried out around the world to demonstrate system feasibility; develop user-friendly interfaces and explore the market potential. The technologies and processes involved are outlined and the way social behaviour might be affected by the new services are commented upon.