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.