Comments on: Broadband Goes Boom

By: K,C. Watson

K,C. Watson — Sat, 05 Mar 2005 04:18:08 +0000

Interesting statistics, Om…but what is the answer for broadband penetration in potentially gigantic markets like India and China?

From what my Indian colleagues tell me, relatives in tech capital Bangalore wait months on end to get “broadband” via cable only to get choppy, mostly sub-dialup speeds. DSL in both countries is a pipe dream as phoneline coverage is in the 5-10% range. Cable penetration is a joke and WiMax reality seems to be some years off.

So even if last mile gear costs continue to drop, how will these sleeping giants enter the broadband game without a long-haul network to speak of?

K.C.

By: Om Malik

Om Malik — Fri, 04 Mar 2005 16:13:29 +0000

JC, good point – i had almost forgotten about the sale of Alcatel DSL modem business to Thomson – somehow the memory is not what it used to be. i am sure you guys are making money, but the way the volume shipments are increasing and prices falling, not many folks could be making money in this market. not sure what you think of that.

By: JC Francois

JC Francois — Fri, 04 Mar 2005 12:39:45 +0000

1. The reason why Alcatel is not in the list is simply that Alcatel sold their DSL modem division and the SpeedTouch brand to Thomson in 2001.

2. While a growing number of manufacturers struggle indeed to be profitable it this market, it is a stretch to call it money losing as a whole. I am product marketing manager for SpeedTouch ADSL modems and I can guarantee you that we are profitable and have been ever since we started in this business.