| NOTAS: | "2004 was a key year for many countries in terms of broadband growth. In sevearl major markets broadband penetration has reached a critical mass. Growth in DSL continues to outstrip cable modem growth and this trend will continue as incumbents and new entrants alike invest further in DSL. Aggressive deployment by a number of cable operators and enhancements to cable modem technology will see cable modem also continue to grow - albeit more slowly. Indeed, in some major markets it remains a fundamental driver for increased broadband penetration, providing both competition to incumbents and extra choice for consumers.
Telcos and cable operators have started to become more consumer focused on a number of fronts. A realisation of the dangers of price commoditisation and a better grasp of the costs and impact of mass-market broadband usage on networks has led to a more intelligent assessment and implementation of broadband strategies.
Consumer VoIP has been growing quickly during the last two years, although total numbers remain relatively low as a proportion of the overall fixed voice market. Market growth is being driven by technology development, changes in regulatory approach and the growing availability and uptake of broadband services. However, much remains to be done in order for consumer VoIP to become a serious contender.
There are many futuristic visions of 'all singing, all dancing' home networks. Although some of the building blocks are already in place, the converged home network is still some way off, primarily due to interoperability issues. We look at three distinct markets, each requiring individual approaches; home data networks, home entertainment networks and home automation networks." |
