This new report from Technology Futures provides a good, concise overview of the competitive access technologies that will impact the local exchange network.
It is inevitable that incumbent local exchange carriers will lose significant market share within their franchise boundaries. The competing technologies -- terrestrial wireless, satellite, or cable -- are simply more economical than the ILECs' circuit switched, copper-based network for multimedia services and will become more economical for voice as their market share declines. It is also now economically practical for multiple competitors to provide fiber facilities in core business districts. Additionally, continued improvements in fiber optic technology and newly available millimeter wave radio systems (i.e., wireless fiber) extend the reach of competitive providers even further to include smaller cities and businesses. The ILECs' natural response to their competition is to expand beyond their franchise boundaries as full-service competitive local exchange carriers or by acquisitions. This, in turn, results in more competition for the other ILECs.
This Comprehensive Report
Analyzes the competitive threat to local exchange carriers from competing technologies that will provide either voice or data services.
For ease-of-use and comparison, outlines the state of each technology, the key application areas and special strengths, weaknesses and limitations, key providers and users, market size, and forecasts of the technology adoption.
Provides an assessment and opinion as to the direction of the industry.