Wireless Connectivity

Have you ever taken the time to evaluate what your personal or professional life would be like without access to broadband solutions? What would it mean if you could no longer access your work accounts from your home PC? How would you spend a Saturday night if you could no longer stream your favorite movies? Perhaps more critically, what would it mean for your business if your access was limited to dial-up connections?

These questions are very real for 19 million Americans in the U.S., according to a recent report. For rural Americans in particular, access to high speed connections is something only available in heavily populated areas. Those seeking the quiet of the country life may have to trade access for  information they need when separated so far from the commercial world.

While 19 million in the U.S. alone without access to broadband is a staggering figure, it does not suggest that the penetration of broadband solutions is standing still. Service providers throughout the nation are expanding their reach beyond suburban areas to provide access for some of the unserved. The figures do not separate out, however, those who want access to broadband solutions and cannot get it, and those who lack the means to pay for high speed connectivity.

Regardless, penetration is still a key initiative for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC (News - Alert)) moving forward and according to this Billing World report, figures are expected to exceed 650 million households throughout the global market. Nearly 430 million households are expected to have access to a data network by the end of 2013. Both figures are predictions from Parks Associates (News - Alert) in a new white paper focused on the potential of the connected home.

The analyst firm announced the white paper at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, highlighting the strong demand among consumers for access to new devices and technologies. At the same time, consumers are hesitant to pay additional fees for service, especially when multiple offerings are delivered by different providers.

"In our research, we are seeing consumers demand a clear value proposition on core functions before they start adding additional features," said Stuart Sikes, president, Parks Associates, in the Billing World report. "For example, connected cars represent a key area of growth and a hot topic at CES.

Approximately one-third of U.S. car owners have in-vehicle connectivity, but our research shows the most popular apps relate to navigation and vehicle performance. To remain competitive, service providers and CE manufacturers must ensure their core offerings remain relevant to the connected consumer," Sikes added.

In other words, service providers who will dominate the market are those who anticipate consumer trends and respond with appropriate solutions. Competitors are likely to be quick to follow, so superior service must also be a priority. Delivering on both expectations can be a challenge for even the most innovative of carriers, creating an opportunity for providers like Actelis (News - Alert) to lighten the load.

Actelis offers carriers and service providers a full broadband portfolio that allows carriers to expand their footprint to deliver IPTV (News - Alert) service, streaming and OTT video services. The company enables the build-out of cost-effective universal broadband service so that service providers can meet the growing challenge in the marketplace and the FCC can meet its initiatives.

The ultimate goal is to provide consumers with access to the technologies they want, without excessive costs or complicated procedures. Actelis’ aim is to enable service providers to deliver on these initiatives.

Want to learn more about the latest in communications and technology? Then be sure to attend ITEXPO Miami 2013, Jan 29- Feb. 1 in Miami, Florida.  Stay in touch with everything happening at ITEXPO (News - Alert). Follow us on Twitter.



Edited by Stefanie Mosca