Local government getting in the way of Cisco's consumer ambitions

Cisco slammed local government as a major hurdle in its quest to get into more homes.

At a press roundtable after during the company's daylong analysts' conference, John Chambers said the United States is getting left behind the developing countries that are "out-executing the U.S. broadband buildout."

Charlie Giancarlo, whom many believe is Chambers' heir apparent, said municipalities should recognize broadband is a priority similiar to water and electricity.

Chambers cautioned that others will step in if the carriers drag their feet on broadband. "When it isn't provided from the traditional way ... we as individual users or companies will look for other ways," he said.

Also at the roundtable, Chambers reiterated Cisco's controversial decision to eventually bury the Linksys name and move everything under the Cisco brand.

Cisco has much riding on the consumer market. Its consumer business brings in about $3.5 billion per year and is growing between 10 percent and 20 percent per year. That's compared with nearly $35 billion in total revenue for the company's last fiscal year.

Also from the analysts' conference: Cisco paints the bigger picture - to shift more routers

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