In 2001, the cable modem industry recorded rapid subscriber growth as well as strong revenue growth from the equipment segment. One of the most significant trends during the forecast period is the change in the contribution of each segment to the overall market. Currently, the cable modem segment dominates the field in terms of generating revenue, but by 2005, cable modem termination systems will be the major revenue source.

This Frost & Sullivan research analyzes markets for cable modems and cable head-ends. It tracks end user and vendor trends, and assesses their impact on the marketplace. With its in-depth discussions of North American, European, Asian and Latin American sectors, this research gives users a comprehensive overview of a fast-growing field.

Consolidation Trend Defines Industry Worldwide

"Cable operators are undergoing a strong wave of consolidation that started in the U.S. and is expanding to Europe," states the analyst. "Consolidation could intensify competition, but it also will permit massive network upgrades." "Even with the consolidation trend, cable modem equipment markets have never been as competitive as they are today," says the author. "There are new entrants from adjacent industries and different countries, particularly from East Asia." These firms have experience in the consumer electronics industry and are expected to pose serious competition to traditional vendors both regionally and worldwide.

New Applications Spark Demand for Cable Modem Equipment

Demand for cable modem equipment is being spurred by new bandwidth intensive applications, such as control and monitoring, productivity, entertainment, and communications. In particular, the shift toward Internet Protocol (IP) cable telephony is expected to be a crucial element in the sustained growth of the industry.

After several years of trials, this bandwidth intensive application is poised to become a reality. "Telephony can be considered the next frontier for the cable modem market," says the author. "It will warrant significant new revenue streams and provide a strong incentive for customers to subscribe to a cable modem service." This study monitors emerging trends to help your company stay ahead of the competition.