RE: FN-FORUM Narrowband Britain

date posted 16th July 2001 20:09

Neelesh,

You posted the URL:
http://www.emarketer.com/analysis/eeurope/20010711_europe.html?ref=glw

I'll be honest with you, that report should really be taken with a pinch
of salt. I say that for the following reasons:

1. Only 3.3% of European households will have broadband internet access
in 2001
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The problem that a large part of Europe has [France, Germany, Austria,
Switerland, etc.] is that their telcos went all out installing ISDN
everywhere. They are now not too keen to move up to DSL because they
have a large ISDN market.

The UK on the other hand never really got it's head around ISDN. I know
it was there, but BT wasn't sure how to sell it, who it should sell it
too, etc. Pretty much the same as the US telcos attempt with ISDN.
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2. Compared to 14.1% of American households
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Which 14.1% are they talking about? I presume it's San Jose, San
Francisco, New York, or some other large city. Try getting a cable modem
in Alabama, etc. especially if you're outside of a city.

You also have to remember that they get their DSL for $20 per month
upwards. Try telling that to good old BT.
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3. In the UK, however, under 1% of homes will have broadband this year.
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And just how long have cable modems and DSL actually been available
here? I was trying and trying to get one for over a year now, and
finally ntl [bless their cotton socks] stepped up to the stone work and
installed one.

I know that one or two cities in the UK have had cable modems for a year
now, but it's not like the telcos and cable companies have made that
much of a marketing push here yet, especially when compared to the US.
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4. US will be mainly cable modems, not DSL. UK will be mainly DSL, not
cable modems.
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The people who compiled the report obviously haven't tried getting an
aDSL line from BT recently.

I also found that cable modems are for losers, according to your average
american. Their radio stations are full of adverts pointing out how
winners get DSL, losers get cable modems.
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At the end of the day, these report writers predicted that the UK would
never adopt the mobile phone, and that the US would once again "Rule the
world!" in cellular communications. Well, we all know what happened to
that one... :o)

Just my 2c worth...

Damian.

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Damian Jauregui
Everlone Limited

http://www.everlone.com
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