This ad is the inspiration for this blog. I'd better add a disclaimer that I'm Australian, and it seems we have slower broadband connections and they are less widespread in our population than some places overseas. However, I'm sure a lot of what I cover here will still be applicable to the rest of the world.

The advert makes it appear that everyone can get hooked up to the household internet connection, and have everyone be happy with the service. What isn't clear, and the non-tech savvy family may not be aware of, is that each computer or device is not going to get the full download bandwidth; it's going to be split between each of them. On my 512kb connection at home, optimum actual speed is somewhere around 50-55kb per second. If my sister is online at the same time, it logically drops to about half. Once you are used to a certain speed, whether you are downloading files or even just browsing the internet, half that speed sucks.

Maybe it's just me, but I think we are becoming more and more impatient when it comes to download speeds and web page loading times. Sometimes I'm impatient just loading a page on Gamespot, even when I'm not doing anything else and my sister is not online.

Dividing the speed in half is enough to make me wince. Dividing by 6 or however many devices? Sure, they may not be demanding that bandwidth at all times. But what if 4 people in the family all head over to youtube on their PC's/laptops at the same time? What happens to Johnny in the lounge room who is playing Call of Duty 4? His lag is probably going to become unbearable.

Of course, I haven't investigated the product they are offering itself, but I'd say with near certainty this is all it is; connecting multiple devices to a single wireless modem, which is nothing new. I doubt most families want to pay extremely exorbitant amounts for faster connections to make this worthwhile. I guess it's better than the alternative; having more phone lines connected to the house so each device has it's own dedicated broadband, but that's just silly.

I'm not saying the integrated household can't happen. But the manner it is being shown in the ad will not be too common today (at least with consistent customer satisfaction). With current technology it will always be a matter of dividing the maximum bandwidth between the devices that want to use it. Most families will still 'take turns' using the internet. It's undeniable we are heading that way though. Many of us have devices, whether they be PC's, laptops, palm pilots, consoles, or hand helds, that are increasingly internet enabled, and we have an increasing desire to make use of these features. While I doubt they demand much bandwidth, even some white goods these days have internet connectivity.

Another issue for us in Australia is that a lot of our internet providers have a cap. Some of our accounts are shaped (once you hit the monthly data limit, you are dropped back to a lower speed), or are charged extra for data over your limit. I haven't done research, but I don't think there are many plans that have unlimited downloads in Australia, and I think those that are, are of lower speeds anyway. These would certainly factor into the 'integrated household' model.

So how is internet usage divided in your household? I'd like to hear about lag from online players while other devices are using the bandwidth, as I don't have any experience myself. For those in other countries, how does your internet stack up; can it handle the 'integrated household' model?