The rapidly increasing demand for triple play services is placing growing emphasis on digital subscriber line (DSL) technology.
The introduction of technologies such as very high bit rate digital subscriber line (VDSL), asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL2+) and VDSL2 fuels demand for corresponding test solutions. This demand provides immense growth potential for test equipment serving multiple variants of DSL (xDSL) in the lab and the field. New analysis from Frost & Sullivan reveals that the worldwide xDSL test equipment market earned revenues of $395,3 million in 2005 and estimates this to almost triple to $1,16 billion in 2012.
"The most advanced standard of DSL broadband communications, VDSL2, enables very high-speed Internet access of up to 100 Mbps symmetrical, and is designed to support the wide deployment of triple play services such as voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), video on demand (VoD), data, high definition television (HDTV) and interactive gaming," notes Frost & Sullivan research analyst Gabriel Khon. "As test equipment plays an essential role in migrating from old DSL standards to the more recent ADSL2, ADSL2+, or VDSL2, there is increasing demand for xDSL test equipment."
The success of triple play services, due to the commoditisation of fixed telephony and Internet access services, has led to a decline in expenditures for telephone companies' core residential services, thereby forcing them to look beyond traditional services for future growth. Hence, operators are staking their future on triple play services that they hope will enhance their appeal and increase customer retention, which ultimately boosts demand for xDSL test equipment.
However, the rapid technological evolution of the DSL market challenges vendors. Essentially, DSL test equipment vendors need to offer easy to use products that provide more sophisticated features and at lower costs. With the recent market introduction of VDSL2, vendors seek a fast and effective way to confront the difficult implementation, installation and interoperability of VDSL2.
Equipment vendors continue to work toward developing products that have multiconfiguration capabilities. Products that have configuration flexibility enable carriers to provide a variety of services to a broad customer base with one product.
Participants in the rapidly evolving xDSL test equipment market, compete on items such as product features, performance, flexibility, solution upgrades, custom design, technical capabilities, value-based pricing, strong customer relationship management and support.
"In order to respond quickly to technological developments, vendors should monitor other broadband technologies that deliver voice, video, and data services as well as watch out for market changes," says Khon. "In addition to selling the product, xDSL test equipment vendors need to educate service providers and network manufacturers about using the device to its maximum potential."
For more information contact Patrick Cairns, Frost & Sullivan, +27 (0)21 680 3274.
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