New Products and Services for Private Households on the Information Highway: Facts and Obstacles

Abstract

When the topic of discussion is “Information Highway”, there are two groups frequently asking to speak. The sceptics refer to the high lead costs and use the absence of social acceptance, the insufficient command of the technological basics and the missing markets as arguments. Their counterparts are the gold-diggers. Whether technology or contents suppliers, both groups see the future in the new technologies. The consumer is frequently uncertain when hearing that multimedia on the Information Highway will change his working environment, his role as a consumer, the information he gets and his leisure time.