Broadband: the mere word evokes cold sweats in those unfamiliar with the possibilities it presents, especially when brandished so frequently against its disdainfully named sibling, narrowband. Even "Hermes," by Spooner & French (through Publicis Canada for Imported Artists), sees the trusted messenger of the gods bowing to the awesome speed of technological advances, no longer able to compete with the mind-blowing speed of Microsoft's MSN Messenger Service.

But broadband has a specific buzz that is permeating the bounds of commercial production, primarily due to figures that purport broadband consumers are set to hit a tasty 35 million by 2005. It seems that the Internet economy is on the brink of offering a stellar platform of unquenchable proportions over the ensuing years for the industry as a whole.

Simply, broadband provides for multiple channels of data over a single communications source. Think of one's faithful intranet flexed, fused and tweaked to flow commercial messages worldwide and you get the picture; a desire to preserve an audience operating within a plethora of media applications.

Let's face it, the divine pipeline will convey information in a sleek business-to-business fashion, delivering data in the form of a cost-effective alternative to traditional media. For as the ever-increasing audience receives those eloquently shaped broadband spots through cable modems, direct subscriber lines (DSL) and digital satellite services, advertisers will relax at HQ awaiting the knock at the door from the Fortune 500 clan to get in on the action. Anyone down with the broadband revolution knows that the brand message must be delivered; hell, the show must go on as new revenue streams abound!

But with broadband distribution space being a virtual marching parade, how does one designate a leader within a host of competing technologies? An astounding array of providers exist, but cutting to the chase leads one to providers in the realm of LA-based DES. A premier media technology service provider, DES recently expanded its operations after pinpointing broadband technology as an intimate part of its next generation communications process. With a core base of entertainment studio clients (which include DreamWorks SKG, Paramount, Universal and Warner Bros.), the media maestro is probably the best indicator of what lies ahead for commercial production in the wake of an exponential broadband growth.

"Ostensibly we see a high-speed global communications system emerging -- that's what we refer to as broadband -- and DES' objective is to provide a set of service offerings to both the entertainment industry and vertical markets," says Brett Markinson, chairman/CEO and founder of the company.

As a self-touted "technology-agonist," DES will make the move to integrate the clearest technology solutions available for the most effective and efficient use for its clients. DES will provide real time, and make interactive communication available while partnering with the likes of Virage, Akamai, Obvious Technology, Incanta, iBEAM, Activate, Avid and Digital Island amid a staff consisting of experts in the realm of editorial services, asset management and broadband applications.