These are the two trends that worry me: 1) Comcast is capping data in more and more markets. The Chicago market is the latest victim. & 2) Spotify and Pandora have yet to have a profitable year. The points are that we who stream our music are looking at the possibility that the amount of music we stream will be limited by internet providers and the model for streaming music services has to change to something more profitable or, in other words, more expensive.
While a new age of lossless or cd quality streaming is on the horizon, the sun is setting on the golden age of inexpensive streaming. One may say "Ya git what ya pay for!" but, I have to ask what will we be paying when surcharges will be applied to data overages and streaming services will cost 2X?, 3X?, maybe 4x what we pay now.
Certainly internet service providers need to come under PUC control. Fat Chance! The trend to limit data and charge more for data access has been initiated by Comcast. Others are certain to follow.
So, what will it cost to stream in five or ten years?
Any others care to share their concerns?
