Home data networks drive additional services

Data networks spur interest in additional value-added services among US households, according to a report released by Parks Associates. The market research said US households with a home data network showed substantially higher interest than non-networked households in bundled services (25 percent versus 14 percent), voice-over-IP (17 percent versus 6 percent), and networked storage (17 percent versus 2 percent).

"We are witnessing an early shift toward home networking as a key variable for motivating additional services in the home," said William Cheek, an analyst with Parks Associates. "Equipment vendors and carriers have a significant opportunity to package data, voice, and multimedia networks as a complete bundle of services that offer network management, virus and spyware protection, and enhanced storage capabilities."

Parks Associates believes service providers will serve as a key distribution channel for both the networked CPE (consumer premise equipment) and value-added services. (THG)