Value-Added Managed Home Network Services Critical in Pushing Home Networks beyond Early Adopters
New study from The Diffusion Group concludes managed home networking services could enliven mass market interest in home networking technology.
Dallas, TX (PRWEB via PR Web Direct)
July 28, 2005 -- New research from The Diffusion Group, a leading connected
consumer and new media research consultancy, suggests that tying home networking
to value-added services could help home networks "cross the chasm" between early
adopters and mainstream consumers. "Consumer Interest in Value-Added Home
Network Services – Volume II," TDG's latest report on home networking and
managed home network services, identifies numerous specific value-added services
that could help service providers extend their revenue and profit reach "beyond
the modem."
"Broadband service providers (BSPs) are in an ideal position
to push home networking into broadband households," said Rachel Avery, analyst
and author of TDG's latest report. "By emphasizing the value of network-enabled
services instead of selling hardware, BSPs can leverage their unique position in
the broadband value chain to push networking solutions and services into
consumer homes."
TDG's research continues to suggest that demand among
U.S. consumers for home networks is declining. In fact, less than 15% of
non-networked broadband households are interested in purchasing a home network
in the next 12 months. While home networking continues to enjoy strong demand
(especially among wireless solutions), the data suggests that without
significant push efforts – either by the outreach of broadband service providers
or massive digital home marketing campaigns on the part of leaders such as Intel
or Microsoft – demand will begin to soften.
"While broadband service has
become a relatively simple proposition for most households, the same cannot be
said for home networking," said Avery. "The perception of complexity is still
very real, despite notable improvements in the ease of set-up and use. But
mass-market consumers want to know that installing and using a home network will
be a hassle-free experience, and that if something goes wrong, they have the
support to address their problems. Their interest in many value-added home
networking services reflects that concern."
"Consumer Interest in
Value-Added Home Network Services – Volume II" examines consumer interest in a
number of specific managed home networking services, including:
* Whole-home
networking protection;
* Network alert services;
* Plug-and-play
services;
* Remote network access;
* Automatic software and firmware
updates;
* Automatic anti-virus and anti-spyware upgrades;
* Virus and
spyware alerts;
* Parental control services; and
* Home network diagnostic
and repair services.
"Consumer Interest in Value-Added Home Network
Services – Volume II" also offers insight into consumer price sensitivity
regarding these managed network services both (1) in general, (2) at $5 per
month, and (3) when bundled together at various price points. The report also
identifies key market segments for home networks and managed home network
services and offers strategic recommendations regarding the structure and price
of potential service offerings. For more information regarding this report or
The Diffusion Group, visit TDG's website at www.tdgresearch.com.
About The Diffusion Group (TDG
Research)
The Diffusion Group is a consumer technology research and strategic
marketing firm focused on the connected consumer and new media. Our mission is
simple: to provide timely, actionable intelligence designed to best position new
consumer technologies for rapid diffusion. TDG is committed to providing market
research and strategic consulting services based on conservative, real-world
analysis and market forecasts grounded in consumer research. For more
information about The Diffusion Group, visit our website at www.tdgresearch.com.
Contact:
Andy Tarczon
e-mail
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972-731-2553
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2005/7/prweb266902.htm