This report looks at the emerging analog modem standard V.92. V.92 broadens the features currently available on V.90 modems. The three new official features found on V.92 modems are: modem-on-hold, quick connect, and PCM upstream. A fourth unofficial feature is also being bundled with V.92 - V.44. V.44 increases data compression. The real issue with V.92 is which comes first, consumer purchases of the modem or service provider support for the new standard.

In-Stat/MDR estimates that in 2001 close to 11% of all US consumer analog modems shipped were V.92. This will grow to close to 44% in the year 2003 and nearly 100% by the year 2004. Furthermore, dial-up access will remain the primary access technology in the US home through 2006. With both the amount of modems being shipped, and the percent of homes using dial-up, service providers won't be able to hold off on their V.92 plans for long.

Currently the only national service provider to have announced plans for V.92 support is Level 3. To date, most service provider support for the new modem standard has come from regional ISPs.

This report is based primarily on supply side research of the primary players in this market - modem manufacturers, computer vendors, network equipment vendors, Internet backbone providers, and ISPs. This report contains five-year forecasts for US consumer and worldwide branded and non-branded V.92/V.90 shipments, and a five-year forecast for primary US household access technology.