Although cable modems offer a fat, free-flowing pipe to the client, it's not the only game in town. Despite the growing number of worldwide cable modem subscribers, DSL is the broadband connection of choice everywhere in the world except the U.S., where cable is king. At the end of 2003, the number of cable modem subscriptions in the U.S. was 1.5 times the number of DSL subscriptions, but DSL continues to close the gap as service providers more aggressively market, price, and promote DSL services and value-added applications to consumers and small businesses. The key to success for the cable operators is the continued bundling of video and voice services with cable modem Internet access products. For many end users, this will increase the attractiveness of cable modems.
The study-Worldwide Cable Modem Services 2004-2008 Forecast-contains an assessment of the worldwide cable modem services market, from 2003 to 2008. The forecast is segmented by major geographic region. Additionally, estimated market shares for the top U.S. cable modem multiple systems operators (MSOs) as of the first quarter of 2004 are presented. The purpose of this study is to identify and quantify the market opportunity within each major geographic region for cable broadband Internet access and to recommend strategies for MSOs to take advantage of these opportunities. This document also assesses the key drivers and inhibitors influencing the development of the market across the major geographic regions.