Technology & Telecom Reports Press Releases

TFI publishes in-depth research reports and papers providing analyses and forecasts of emerging technologies and markets. The topics include many of the non-traditional telephony products and services from the broadcast, cable, computer, satellite, and wireless industries. Many of the publications are sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group, a consortium of telephone companies comprised of Bell Canada, BellSouth Telecommunications, OFS, Qwest, SBC Communications, and Verizon. Press releases for other TFI reports and papers can also be found under TFI's White Papers, Articles, and Complimentary Reports Press Releases.

Transforming the Local Exchange Network: Fourth Edition: Austin, Texas, February 2009--Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI) forecasts continued modernization of the local exchange network in the fourth edition of TFI's flagship publication Transforming the Local Exchange Network. According to author Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. , "The transition by local exchange carriers from a narrowband network of circuit switches and copper cables to a broadband network of packet switches and fiber optics is well underway. This transition will largely be complete for the U.S. industry between 2015 and 2020." (See Graph 1: "Deployment of VHS Broadband Fiber."). The report was co-authored by Ray L. Hodges and sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group, comprised of AT&T, Bell Canada, Qwest, and Verizon.

Depreciation Lives for New Fiber Optic Cable in the Local Exchange Network: Austin, Texas, March 2008--Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI) announces a new recommended depreciation life of 20 to 25 years for newly-installed fiber optic cable in the local exchange network. TFI's prior recommendation was 15 to 20 years, which reflected the combined impacts of physical mortality, technological substitution, and access line losses due to competition. Documented in its new report Depreciation Lives for New Fiber Optic Cable in the Local Exchange Network by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI) and Ray L. Hodges (Senior Consultant, TFI), this applies to the fiber cable that is going into the massive network upgrades such as AT&T's Project Lightspeed and Verizon's FiOS. The research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group.

Broadband Equipment Lives for Local Exchange Carriers: Austin, Texas, August 2007--Technology Futures forecasts continued increases in broadband speeds, hastening the obsolescence of broadband investment. The report, Broadband Equipment Lives for Local Exchange Carriers, by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI), presents recommendations for depreciation lives for broadband equipment such as video set-top boxes, headend equipment, and broadband loop electronics, including DSLAMs, DSL modems, and BPON equipment. Discussing the report, author Dr. Lawrence Vanston states, "The business of incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) is transitioning from primarily voice to primarily high-speed broadband and video. This means that equipment devoted to delivering broadband and video will come to dominate the useful investment of ILECs. Much of this equipment is significantly different than traditional narrowband equipment and, thus, may have different depreciation lives." The research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group.

Mechatronics, A Technology Forecast: Austin, TX, July 2007--Mechatronics involves the integration of mechanical and electrical systems with control systems and information technology. These "intelligent mechanical systems" are the foundation of many 21st century enabling technologies. This 130-page publication, Mechatronics, A Technology Forecast, co-authored by Technology Futures, Inc. staff, includes an overview of mechatronic technology and analysis of related occupations and salaries, inventory of existing mechatronic curriculum and considerations for colleges considering developing related programs, and lists of industry experts and mechatronics companies. A COMPLIMENTARY copy of the report is available to you and your readers at http://www.tfi.com/pubs/white.html#mechatronics.

Assessment of Wireless Broadband as a Competitor to Wireline Broadband: Austin, TX, December 2006--Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI) predicts wireless broadband can be economically deployed on a reasonably large scale--perhaps 20% of households--to offer the types of broadband services that DSL and cable modems offer now: that is, speeds in the range 1 Mb/s and relatively bursty traffic. The report, Assessment of Wireless Broadband as a Competitor to Wireline Broadband, by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI), provides an independent assessment of the potential for wireless broadband to compete with residential broadband services offered by incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) and cable companies. The research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group.

Biotechnology: A Guide to Business and Workplace Development: Austin, TX, May 2006--According to a new report by forecasting and market research leader Technology Futures, Inc., biotech offers a promising array of opportunities for individuals and small and medium-sized businesses, as well as individuals seeking employment. The most promising areas are bioinstrumentation, bioinformatics, DNA and human health, and bioagriculture. Government-sponsored funding of biotech research, and the availability of financial resources and financial incentives for private biotech enterprise development, are rated as the most critical factors to the success of a biotech effort. The report, Biotechnology: A Guide to Business and Workplace Development, was written by John H. Vanston, Ph.D. (Chairman, TFI) and Henry Elliott (Research Analyst, TFI).

Transforming the Local Exchange Network: Third Edition: Austin, TX, March 2006--According to a new report by Technology Futures, Inc.(TFI), incumbent local exchange networks (ILECs) have no choice but to invest in new technology and offer high-speed broadband and video to stay in the game. The report, Transforming the Local Exchange: Third Edition, written by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D., (President, TFI) and Ray L. Hodges (Senior Consultant, TFI), presents the latest TFI forecasts for the North American local exchange network covering switching, circuit equipment, and outside plant. It also includes TFI's latest recommendations on depreciation lives for local exchange telephone plants, accounting for technology displacement, and loss of access lines due to competition. The research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group.

Forecasts for Broadband Communications: An Analyst Paper by TFI: Broadband will continue to be adopted at a rapid rate, and ultimately, reach levels of penetration comparable to other popular consumer electronics. Higher broadband speeds will also increase dramatically. By 2010, over 10% of U.S. households will likely subscribe to at least 24 Mb/s service, and by 2015 penetration should exceed 50%. Internet protocol video (IP video), especially high-definition (HD) IP video, is a key driver for higher data rates. The 12-page Forecasts for Broadband Communications: An Analyst Paper by TFI , by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D., (President, TFI) provides analyses and forecasts for each. (December 2005)

Emerging Technology Programs for Texas Colleges: Advanced Digital Manufacturing, Hybrid Vehicles, Micro-Electromechanical Systems, and Computer Forensics Three Emerging Technology Employment Opportunities: John H. Vanston, Ph.D., Henry Elliott
Program Director: Michael A. Bettersworth
A new report from Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI), identifies four emerging technologies worthy of detailed analysis, and found three offered promising opportunities for college graduates including advanced digital manufacturing, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), and computer forensics. Demand for technical careers in the hybrid vehicles industry was found to be limited. TFI and the report's sponsor, Texas State Technical College (TSTC) System, are now making available a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this 76-page report to you and your readers at http://www.tfi.com/pubs/white.html. (January 2005). Press Release

Forecasts for Higher Bandwidth Broadband Services: According to a new report by Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI), by 2006, one-half of U.S. households will subscribe to broadband access, and a shift to much higher data rates in the range of 24 Mb/s to 100 Mb/s will have begun. By 2010, U.S. broadband penetration of 75% is likely, and 10% to 20% of U.S. households will subscribe to very high-speed-broadband. The new study, Forecasts for Higher Bandwidth Broadband Services, authored by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI), Ray L. Hodges (Sr. Consultant, TFI), and Joseph Savage forecasts how bandwidth requirements will increase over time and addresses the applications requiring higher speed. It also reviews current leaders in the migration to higher data rates--South Korea, Japan, and Italy. The research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group. (December 2004)

Homeland Security, A Technology Forecast: John H. Vanston, Ph.D., Henry Elliott
Program Director: Michael A. Bettersworth
The events of September 11, 2001 created dramatic employment opportunities for technology- related jobs growth in the homeland security (HS) area. According to a new report from Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI), "Homeland Security: A Technology Forecast," seven technology areas will ultimately make up the technical underpinnings for the nations homeland security agenda, and will serve as major areas of potential employment. TFI is now making available a COMPLIMENTARY copy of this 124-page report to YOU and YOUR READERS at <http://www.tfi.com/pubs/white.html>. (November 2004). Press Release. Texas Press Release.

Forecasts of Access Line Competition in the Local Exchange: Competition is having a major impact on incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs). For example, after years of high growth, the number of ILEC retail narrowband switched access lines peaked at 181.3 million lines in 1999 and has continuously declined since then, falling to 162.7 million lines by December 2002. TFI addresses these impacts in its new report Forecasts of Access Line Competition in the Local Exchange, authored by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI). The research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group. Featured Graph. (December 2003)

Fuel Cells, A Technology Forecast: John H. Vanston, Ph.D., Henry Elliott
Program Director: Michael A. Bettersworth
According to a new report, Fuel Cells: A Technology Forecast, the opportunities for those willing to make the necessary commitments to become leaders in the fuel cell field could be very significant in terms of capital infusion and job creation. The 80-page report written by John H. Vanston, Ph.D. (Chairman, Technology Futures, Inc. [TFI]) and Henry Elliott (Analyst, TFI), and sponsored by the Texas State Technical College (TSTC), discusses the fuel cell industry, the different types of fuel cell markets, and the use of fuel cells in electric power production and motor vehicles. The report is available to you and your readers for FREE. (Texas media version) (February 2003). Press Release. Texas Press Release.

Nanotechnology: A Technology Forecast: Dr. John H. Vanston, Ph.D., Henry Elliott
Edited by: Larry Grulick, Ph.D., Michael A. Bettersworth
What is the current state of the nanotechnology? What factors might accelerate or deter development of nanotech markets? What career opportunities are available? This report, written by John H. Vanston, Ph.D. (Chairman, Technology Futures, Inc. [TFI]) and Henry Elliott (Analyst, TFI), and sponsored by the Texas State Technical Colleges (TSTC), offers answers to these questions and more. The 98-page report is available to you and your readers for FREE at http://www.tfi.com/pubs/white.html . (September 30, 2003) Press Release.

Depreciation Lives of Fiber Optic Cables in the Local Exchange: Technology Futures, Inc., an internationally-recognized leader in telecom forecasting, announces the publication of its new report "Depreciation Lives of Fiber Optic Cables in the Local Exchange," authored by Ray L. Hodges (Senior Consultant, TFI) and Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI). The report addresses the economic life of single-mode fiber optic cable installed by incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) in the local exchange network. The technology and competitive issues driving network changes are explained in detail. The research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group. Featured Graph. (June 2003)

Transforming the Local Exchange Network: Review & Update: Technology Futures, Inc., an internationally-recognized leader in telecom forecasting, announces the publication of its new report entitled Transforming the Local Exchange Network: Review & Update, authored by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI) and Ray L. Hodges (Senior Consultant, TFI). This report reviews recent TFI forecasts for the North American local exchange network, covering switching, circuit equipment, and outside plant. The TFI forecasts provide a reasoned, realistic view of the technological and competitive changes occurring in the telecommunications industry. The research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group. Featured Graph. (March 2003)

Programs for Emerging Technologies: Michael A. Bettersworth, Larry Grulick, Ph.D., and John H. Vanston, Ph.D.
Texas State Technical College System, Technology Futures, Inc.
Technology Futures, Inc. (TFI) and the Texas State Technical Colleges (TSTC) System announce a new process, Programs for Emerging Technologies (PET), to improve an organization's economic and technological competitiveness by identifying emerging technologies and then forecasting their related technology advances, market development, and employment opportunities. (The full report, Forecasting Technical Program Needs, is also available.) (January 29, 2003)

Residential Broadband Forecasts A TFI White paper: Technology Futures, Inc., announces the publication of a new white paper giving forecasts for residential broadband data rates. Authored by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI), Residential Broadband Forecasts provides long-term forecasts supporting the view that U.S. broadband adoption is on track and that, barring major business or regulatory mistakes, long-term optimism for broadband is justified. (August 2002)

The Local Exchange Network in 2015: Technology Futures, Inc. announces the publication of a new report entitled The Local Exchange Network in 2015, authored by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI). This report gives forecasts for 2015 for broadband data rates, the impact of wireless, and the North America local exchange network. The research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group. The 23-page report is available in printed form or as a FREE download to you and your readers. (March 2002)

Technology Forecasts for Local Exchange Circuit Equipment: Technology Futures, Inc. announces the publication of a new report entitled Technology Forecasts for Local Exchange Circuit Equipment, authored by Ray L. Hodges (Senior Consultant, TFI). This research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group. This report describes and quantifies the impacts of new transmission technologies such as xDSL (digital subscriber line) and dense wave division multiplexing (DWDM). (November 2001)

The Impacts of Competition and Technology on Local Exchange Outside Plant Assets: Technology Futures, Inc. announces the publication of a new report entitled The Impacts of Competition and Technology on Local Exchange Outside Plant Assets, authored by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI). This research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group. This study quantifies the impact of broadband technology and wireless competition on the ILECs. copper cable plant. It complements TFI's earlier report on switching assets. (July 2001)

The Impacts of Competition and Technology on Local Exchange Switching Assets: Technology Futures, Inc. announces the publication of a new report entitled The Impacts of Competition and Technology on Local Exchange Switching Assets, authored by Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI). This research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group. This study estimates the impact of competition on narrowband local exchange switches, especially as it relates to obsolescence and depreciation lives. (December 2000)

Technology Forecasts for Local Exchange Switching Equipment: Technology Futures, Inc., an internationally-recognized leader in telecom forecasting, announces the publication of a new report entitled Technology Forecasts for Local Exchange Switching Equipment, authored by Ray L. Hodges (Senior Consultant, TFI) and Lawrence K. Vanston, Ph.D. (President, TFI). The research was sponsored by the Telecommunications Technology Forecasting Group. This report addresses issues relating to the current trend of ATM/IP packet switching and its impact on the embedded digital circuit switches of incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs). (April 2000)

Technology & Telecom Reports Press Release Archive

To arrange an interview with a staff member or request more information about our activities and/or publications, please contact Ms. Carrie Vanston, Media Relations Director, at (800) TEK-FUTR, (512) 258-8898, or by email at cvanston@tfi.com.