y can still broadcast a standard-definition picture over DTV, referred to as standard-definition TV (SDTV). But why would they want to do that? The answer is simple: In the same amount of bandwidth, they can deliver four standard-definition programs instead of only one high-definition program. But most importantly, digi- tal technology is converting television from a mechanism that supports passive viewing to an interactive experience-an environment in which you choose when, where, and how you engage with the world at your disposal. Of course, you can still passively watch TV, but you can also customize the experience and make it your own. DTV is already offering us more choices, and it's going to make our viewing experience even more interactive. People have only so much time and money to spend on electronic goods and ser- vices. In many parts of the world, the first thing people seem willing to spend their time and money on involves entertainment. Therefore, the television industry, as well as the content, entertainment, and application worlds, will be increasingly important to how the local loop develops and how this further demands the introduction of home area networking. Of course, TV and networks will deliver more than entertain- ment. They will deliver edutainment and infotainment, too, and the presentation of the information and knowledge you need will be in a format that is palatable and ensures assimilation and retention on a rapid and effective basis. Video and multi- media facilitate our ability to understand and retain information and therefore will become the basis of much information delivery. This will drive the need for more bandwidth not just to the home but also within the home, to network the growing variety of computing and entertainment systems. Very importantly, it will also drive the need to deliver programming and content on a mobile basis-yet another argu- ment for fixed-mobile convergence (FMC)-and fuel the broadband wireless arena to new generations of wireless technology and spectrum