From Triple Play to Quadruple Play: Strategies, Business Models and Best Practices.

Multi-play business models continue to gain in popularity across the telecom and media space. At the end of 2006, more than 40% of Canada' s households subscribed to a triple-play package, and nearly 40% of British households subscribe to some form of packaged bundle. The trend has shattered traditional service lines and compelled players with gaps in their portfolios to scramble to offer their own competitive bundles. Telcos have become strong players in the content space, with some starting pay-TV operations from scratch. Satellite players are beginning to offer VoIP; even steadfast pure-play mobile operators like Vodafone have felt compelled to get into the broadband business.

Is this all worth it? Pyramid Research' s new report, From Triple-play to Quad-play: Strategies, Business Models, and Best Practices, provides an in-depth examination of the evolution of multi-play models. Building on case studies and examples from dozens of telco, cable, satellite, and other multi-play providers around the world, the report analyzes multi-play positioning (it' s about protecting the core), pricing (discounts dominate), and the bottom-line performance of triple play (mixed). The report also reviews the emergence of multi-play models driven by a new breed of players (mobile, satellite, WiMAX), and proposes a rethinking of the concept of quad play.

• Is triple play indispensable? Is quad play worth it?
• What multi-play value propositions have proven most successful?
• What is the current proportion of customers with bundled packages, and what is the expected evolution over the next five years?
• Is triple play profitable? What type of impact does the evolution to bundles have on margins?
• What is the optimal approach for service providers to filling the gaps in their portfolios? Acquire, partner, or build?
• How can pure-play satellite and mobile operators compete in a multi-play environment?
• Which players derive the most benefit from bundling?

Fixed operators: Assess the financial implications of long-term positioning strategies to develop a successful multi-play offering. The detailed analysis of content acquisition models, from partnerships to IPTV build-outs, includes assessments of feasibility, technology, and content. The in-depth case studies will help you assess competition and identify telco triple-play best practices and profitability. Use the included market forecasts to quantify the market opportunity.

Cable companies: Through case study analysis and market forecasts, identify best practices to drive penetration of triple-play subscribers and mitigate competitive risk from fixed telcos and other multi-play providers. Use the included market forecasts to quantify the market opportunity.

Vendors: Position your offerings to triple-play service providers through a clear assessment of the impact of triple-play solutions on their operational performance.

Financial services, investment firms: This report will help you assess the short- and long-term financial prospects for multi-play providers through a review of the initial margin patterns of multi-play providers and Pyramid Research' s forecast of the evolution of those margins.

Mobile operators: Assess the threat of future quadruple-play providers on pure-play mobile operations. Develop your strategy now to minimize the risk of churn to telcos and cable companies offering mobile voice as a key component of their strategies.

Content providers, aggregators: Assess the implications of bundled strategies on content acquisition, positioning, and cost.

Satellite DTH players: Assess possible responses to the evolution toward bundles, including the advantages and pitfalls of partnerships and outright acquisitions to fill gaps in service portfolios.

• Advance/Newhouse
• Alice
• Arcor
• AT&T
• Belgacom
• Bell Canada
• Brasil Telecom
• BSkyB
• BT
• China Netcom
• China Telecom
• Cinemax
• Claro
• Clearwire
• Comcast
• Cox
• DirecTV
• DTHi
• Easynet
• EchoStar
• Embarq
• Embratel
• Entel
• E-plus
• Express Vu
• FastWeb
• France Telecom
• Free Telecom
• Freeview
• Globo
• Google
• GTD Manquehue
• H3G
• HBO
• Joost
• Kabel Deutschland
• KPN
• NET Servicos
• Neuf Cegetel
• NTL
• NTT
• O2
• Orange
• PCCW
• Qwest Communications
• Rogers Communications
• Showtime
• Skype
• Sprint Nextel
• T-Com
• T-Mobile
• Telecom Italia
• Telefonica
• Telefonica Chile
• Telekom Austria
• Telemar
• Telewest
• Telmex
• Telstra
• Telsur
• Telus
• TIM
• TIM Brasil
• Time Warner
• T-Mobile
• TVA
• Unity Media
• Verizon Communications
• Video Networks Ltd
• Videotron
• Virgin Media
• Virgin Mobile
• Vivax
• Vivo
• Vodafone
• Vodafone Germany
• Vodafone Italy
• VTR
• Way Brasil
• Wind