Eric, Should I post more statistics on the telcomm transport, access,and enterprise markets? Here's one of note. The industry consultant who spoke in Dallas noted of course that "given the growing demand for data, a broadband media is essential for a long-term access network."
He then analyzed the "critical strengths and weaknesses of each access technology": Copper-Analog, Copper-xDSL, Cable-HFC, cellular/PCS, MMDS, LMDS/Microwave, Satellite, and Fiber Optic.
Overall rated on strengths, weaknesses, and future implications, xDSL came in Number One due to ability to leverage existing infrastructure. Weaknsss of xDSL were plant upgrade of twisted wire necessary and shared bandwidth limited at 6Mbps, still much higher than current 0.06Mbps Transmission Speed of copper wires. xDSL he saw as important to metro residential and suburb businesses.
Now cable modem is right behind xDSL and Wireless PCS technology right behind cable modem in relative ease of use and capability. Fiber optic is very cheap to maintain and operate, but costs to install. Cable modem grows in importance since AT&T took over TCI, and TCI now has the capital to expand its cable system.
So Cable Modem, wireless, and fiber optic have very big roles to play too. I'm just pointing the xDSL data out to note that there is value to AFCI to a contract with an ILEC/RBOC since the ILEC's/RBOC's control the copper analog systems that will be upgraded to xDSL.
Also very bottom line is that carriers will continue to acquire multiple means of acccess accordng to their market position. This should help AFCI since its product works with each of these competing access technologies ... |
