Introduction

Communication technologies are rapidly maturing, and already the past decade has witnessed new forms of communication services being deployed. The deployment of various broadband communication technologies, such as digital subscriber line (DSL) and fiber optical communications, has led to a rapid price drop for bandwidth. Access networks, such as wireless local area networks (WLAN), are now commonplace and are rapidly evolving into metropolitan-style mesh networks.

Parallel to the rapid development of communication technologies, has been a surge in information applications. Multimedia content has become ubiquitous. Content editing software and hardware, such as digital cameras, are allowing for users to easily create. The availability of the Internet and the Web has encouraged artists, both professional and amateur, to share their creative expressions. This combination of application and communication technologies has created opportunities for new businesses to meet the growing global demand for information and entertainment.