Retail 2.0 depends on Broadband Connectivity

Retail 2.0 provides several distinct benefits to both the retail store and the retail customer. These benefits are dependent on only one thing – a formidable broadband connection. With most Retail 2.0 enabled stores hosting over 300 Retail 2.0 connected devices, the demand for broadband capacity increases beyond that of a normal retail operation.

Today’s environment requires that retail establishments have more broadband capacity than ever. The tech counter alone needs additional bandwidth just to download operating system and program updates which can reach up to 1GB in size. Some retail customers, believe it or not, still have dial-up internet connectivity. They haven’t ever experienced broadband connectivity and it is possible that the customers interaction with a Retail 2.0 connected machine is their first broadband experience.

Incremental internet connectivity may be necessary for any retail store in which Retail 2.0 operates. Without the need for a secure connection to the corporate network, broadband services like those provided by Comcast in the US or O2 Broadband in the UK can provide high-capacity connectivity at much lower cost/mb vs. point-to-point or traditional T1 circuits.

Depending on the store foot traffic and Retail 2.0 utilization, connections with as much as a 100MB connection speed should be utilized to ensure every station within the store has nearly unfettered access to the greatness of the Internet. Consumer experiences which are positive inside the retail outlet may lead to consumer desire for increased broadband connectivity within their home. The greater broadband connectivity to any home, the greater experience the family has with their multitude of electronic devices. Tablets, smartphones, gaming systems, internet-connected TVs, IPTV and more – all a result of an increased desire for broadband consumption.

Our lives are more and more influenced by the capacity of our broadband connection, the time we spend reading the top headlines throughout the day and the amount of email we receive on a daily basis. These demands are also increasingly more dependent on broadband connectivity. Retail 2.0, and it’s complementary feature of providing a true broadband experience – on a multitude of devices including HDTVs, provide consumers with yet another taste of the potential of additional electronics and connectivity – in their lives.