BIA/Kelsey today issued a press release stating that consumer spending on online deals is expected to reach $3.6 billion in 2012. This, according to the online deal adviser, should represent a 86.9% increase over 2011. BIA/Kelsey also expects consumer online deal spending to increase 23% in 2013, with spending hitting $5.5 billion.

Online deals offer discounts on consumer items, such as clothing, electronics, toys, and travel.

In addition, a BIA/Kelsey survey of small businesses found that 26% of small businesses are likely to participate in an online deal over the next six months, while 24.3% of small businesses are somewhat likely to participate in a deal.

Affordable broadband, especially affordable wireless broadband can keep millions of minority and low income consumers connected to such deal offerings. Making necessary resources like spectrum available to carriers willing to service these markets puts the FCC in an indirect position to positively impact consumer welfare.

An article in The Wall Street Journal discussing the business upside of internet pornography. Cable television is seeing their, shall we say, prurient interest being eaten by free availability of pornography on adult websites. Not exactly one of the coming attractions that we think of as a tool for inciting interest in broadband.

With the exception of potential new privacy protection measures from the federal government on the horizon, consumers may feel even more comfortable visiting these sites. Not only will consumers get a rise out of this, but investor expectations and valuations of online porn entertainment ventures may get a lift as well.

Cox Communications yesterday announced that its subscribers can now view on-demand programming on Cox’s website. Miss a show or news? No problem. Go to Cox’s website after the show premieres and check it out there.

The idea makes sense. As a distributor of content, a cable company should take advantage of as many platforms as possible. It’s good for the content provider because greater access by consumers means that there is greater engagement with the content provider’s product.

This is also good for promoting wired broadband adoption. Since only subscribers to Cox can take advantage of this feature, it encourages consumers to get wired, which leads to benefits that only wired broadband access can provide.

One downside may be the digital recording industry. If I can access my programming online, why bother going through the machinations to set up a recording of a favorite TV show?