2006 will
be another year of change. Another year of shifts in industry position.
Another year of corporate movement as companies come to grips
with the business model disruptions wrought by technological change.
2006 is shaping up to be interesting already: With this report SeaBoard
brings you seven predictions for this new year – lumps of coal
for some, presents for others.
1. The CLEC is dead! Long Live Local Access Competition!
2006 marks the end of the era of the CLEC. Local competition is now
based on access technology.
2. Municipal WiFi is hot!
Cities of Canada will be lit with WiFi broadband with the help of municipal
governments, local utility telecoms, and, in some cases, incumbent
telcos and cablecos.
3. 10% of Households become VoIP-only or Wireless-only.
Technology substitution will continue as Canadian households disconnect
their old circuit switched landline for other technologies.
4. Enterprises flex their muscles in mobility.
Enterprise wireless buyers demand more from their carriers – clearer
bills, lower prices, and most of all office telephony integration.
5. Lawful Intercept Legislation Becomes Clearer
Canadian carriers, cablecos, telcos and independents, have been looking
for clearer guidance on what their responsibilities are for lawful
intercept. 2006 provides that guidance as better legislation is tabled.
6. Telco TV arrives in force.
Telcos, faced with the cable companies inroads into the local phone
business, will launch and seriously promote TV service. Look for innovation
and creativity in how TV service is marketed and delivered.
7. Inukshuk trudges on, s-l-o-w-l-y.
The Rogers-Bell partnership on this fixed mobile broadband project
will begin rolling out the service – but management and leadership
challenges will slow the progress. |