Abstract
"Cable operators will struggle to keep up with the financial might of telcos,
as their profitability is more comparable to that of unbundlers. Cablecos' key
assets are not their networks but their subscriber bases and, in order to
maintain these, they must ensure access to the best content, delivered in new
ways over next-generation infrastructure. The price tag can be high, and
cablecos must consolidate or face a dwindling subscriber base."
Martin Scott, Analyst
Cablecos' margins are acceptable and their businesses appear stable but they
must not become complacent, as telcos, satellite players and DTT operators are
closing in on all sides. European Cable: strategies for success identifies the
issues that cable operators face, defines their position in the market and
shows how to maintain a successful business case.
The report identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the European cable
product portfolio and assesses the performance of service bundling to date,
indicating how these can be improved. It also looks beyond present cable
broadband technology to suggest how cable operators can provide faster and
more diverse services. European Cable: strategies for success weighs the pros
and cons of moving to pre-specification DOCSIS3.0 technology now, gauges the
benefits of M-CMTS architectures and considers whether it would be wiser for
cable operators to wait for full DOCSIS3.0 compatibility. The report also
provides an in-depth analysis of trends in the pricing of cable and DSL
broadband services, and points to the services that cable operators should be
providing.
European Cable: Strategies for Success answers your key questions:
- What will a successful cableco look like in three years' time?
- How will interactions between cable operators, telcos and others shape the
overall market?
- Do the cablecos have a viable business model for the future?
- How has pricing competition developed, and how should it change?
- What demand will there be for M-CMTS, pre-specification DOCSIS3.0 and full
DOCSIS3.0 infrastructure; what are the critical factors?
- Which network upgrade path is best for cablecos?
- How much do upgrades cost?
- Why move to digital TV?
- What are the benefits of consolidation?
- How much of a threat is posed by DTT, DTH and telco TV?
- What makes a successful retail portfolio?
Who should read this report
- Cable operators: identify the product portfolio, retail pricing and
route to network upgrade that best suits your business
- Investors and analysts: understand the place of cable operators
within a converged telecoms- media market
- Equipment vendors: focus your marketing according to our
independent analysis of pre-specification DOCSIS3.0, DOCSIS3.0 and M-CMTS
architectures, and their roles in a cable operator' s strategy
- Incumbent operators: develop a view of the competitive landscape;
learn from the comparison of prices charged by European cable and DSL operators
- Pay-TV operators: identify the issues and limitations that cable
operators have yet to address
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