Broadband Saturation Nears; Then What?

Value-added services are the lifeline for future growth and revenues for global broadband providers, who must find ways to stay competitive as broadband services reach saturation levels, according to research firm Parks Associates."Many operators in North America and Western Europe see the squeeze coming," said Brett Sappington, Parks senior analyst. "Initiatives by global ISPs include remote health services, home security, energy monitoring, and entertainment services. Premium technical support is also an opportunity for growth, but the appetite for fee-based services varies among different cultures. While consumers in North America are more widely accepting of premium support services, Asian consumers are sensitive to fee-based support, believing it is part of the basic service."