So the good ol' BBC is set to show all World Cup matches online, or at least that's the plan. And surprise surprise, the network vendors are already coming out in force with various words of wisdom and fearful warnings of downtime and productivity losses. There's usually about a half-day window when an announcement like this is made before interested vendors wade-in with over-reactive comments – even basic decency did not stop certain parties trying to spin the events of 7 July 2005 for commercial gain.

Apparently the BBC announcement could cause IT managers big headaches over bandwidth if employees decide to make use of the service while at work. Personally, I reckon it may never get to that stage... considering that most large media firms still seem incapable of coping with surges in demand for their online services at the busiest times. Try getting anything out of the BBC or Sky News online the next time there has been a major "news event" and you'll know what I mean.

But just supposing the BBC has sorted out these reliability issues, we'll probably see a fair number of firms limiting or banning streaming broadcasts over their networks. Not content with working the longest and hardest hours in Europe, no doubt we will deny our workforce the chance to see their team play in the greatest sporting event on the planet – quelle surprise.

They might as well put a chain around our necks and be done with it.