Blake asserts that everything is infinite if we allow ourselves to perceive them as such. Some two centuries after Blake's time, we are in a situation in which we have so much more information readily available to us. Perhaps that won't allow us to “cleanse the doors of perception,” but it does allow us unprecedented access to bits that can carry knowledge, communication, and, who knows, maybe even enlightenment.

It's a pretty good time to be an end consumer. Whereas a few short years ago, options for accessing data, video, and voice were relatively limited, the modern consumer is confronted with a spate of possibilities. Providers are competing on QoS, depth of functions, breadth of functions, price (which is, of course, the last thing providers want to compete on), convenience, and a wide variety of other aspects. So what access technologies are leading the way in what regards? Are cable companies able to follow through on the potential their access technology represents? Is WiMax fast enough and reliable enough to be truly relevant? Is FTTx coming quickly enough to maintain relevance for Telcos?

In this issue of Pipeline, we take a look at these issues and more. We examine some current access technologies and what they offer now and in the future. We peel back the wallpaper a bit to determine if reality meets promise. We look at the interaction between the edge and the core, and how that classic battle is being resolved. We take a look at upcoming events and how they impact the OSS world.

Take a look around. Shine up those doors of perception. Everything may be infinite, but February is the shortest month of the year, so read it while it's hot.