Idea: Redbox Mesh Network
At the end of 2009, there were about 20,000 individual Redboxes littered throughout the country. Each machine is connected to the Internet via DSL or 3G. (Which lends credence to the idea it will partner with Amazon to provide an unlimited subscription streaming alternative to Netflix, perhaps as a part of Amazon Prime.)
Here’s an idea that may make sense for Coinstar (which clearly gets tech). Instead of being a broadband customer: Turn the box network into an alternative delivery system. That is, create a (mesh?) network for subscription based streaming content.
You’d hit a surprising amount of homes with just existing locations. Enable users to contribute bandwidth (in return for a decrease in the monthly fee) and you’d quickly saturate the area. Use this as leverage with Amazon.
-Shlok
Sign up for my newsletter.