JupiterResearch Forecasts Broadband Telephony Market Will Nearly Double Between 2007 and 2013

According to a new JupiterResearch report, "US Broadband Telephony Forecast, 2008 to 2013," cable multiple system operators (MSOs) have maintained momentum in the voice service market by continuing to focus on competitive triple-play service bundles. Of consumers who subscribe to a cable MSO-managed VoIP service, 47 percent said bundling had a strong influence on their selection of home phone service provider.

As noted by David Schatsky, President of JupiterResearch, "Broadband telephony enables fixed service providers to integrate voice service features with other bundled services such as broadband, TV or wireless. At a time when consumers are increasingly cutting the cord and relying solely on wireless for voice communication, broadband telephony offers the best opportunity for fixed service providers to retain current voice customers or acquire new ones."

Despite having a moderate impact on the VoIP market overall, the emergence of AT&T's U-verse Voice is an important market development. "By rolling out a managed VoIP service in areas where it already offers circuit-switched voice service, AT&T validates the importance of integrated services across the bundle," explained Doug Williams, Analyst and lead author of the report for JupiterResearch. "However, AT&T may find it challenging to migrate existing voice customers to the VoIP platform, as those consumers place greater emphasis on service quality and reliability when selecting a home telephone service provider."

Looking ahead, JupiterResearch observes a few wild card scenarios that could shake up the market for broadband telephony, namely the potential for Verizon to migrate all services including voice within its FiOS bundles to an IP platform, as well as new product offerings such as the Skype phone, which de-couples Skype's voice chat service from the PC, and T-Mobile's new "@Home" over-the-top VoIP offer for $10 per month.

The complete findings of this report are immediately available to JupiterResearch clients online at www.jupiterresearch.com. For details on JupiterResearch's methodology, visit www.jupiterresearch.com/bin/item.pl/methodology or email press@jupiterresearch.com to request a detailed methodology statement. For additional information on this report or JupiterResearch's Home Broadband and Communications research service, visit www.jupiterresearch.com or contact Kieran Kelly, Senior Vice President of Global Sales and Client Service, at 1-800-481-1212 or researchsales@jupiterresearch.com.

About JupiterResearch

JupiterResearch provides unbiased research, analysis and advice, backed by proprietary data, to help companies profit from the impact of the Internet and emerging consumer technologies on their business. The company helps online businesses make critical decisions about technology selection, spending, staffing, and Web site effectiveness; advises consumer-facing companies with online advertising, marketing, and customer service strategies to understand, attract, convert and retain customers; and guides technology vendors and service providers on market opportunity, positioning, product definition, and pricing. JupiterResearch is headquartered inNew York City and has offices throughout the US andEurope. For more information, visit www.jupiterresearch.com.

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SOURCE JupiterResearch