Development of VDSL

For the Internet user, VDSL means a quantum leap in terms of comfort and performance. VDSL is currently the most powerful access technology, with broadband speeds of 25 mbps to over 50 mbps. This innovative technology is based on fiber-optic networks - with significantly higher transmission rates than ADSL. This is crucial above all for Internet TV and other data-intensive products. At the moment VDSL is still in the rollout phase. This means volume access will only be reached in a few years.

Critically, consumers believe VDSL is particularly attractive when combined with Triple Play products. Almost two-thirds of consumers regard the integrated provision of VDSL broadband access with communications services and content piped via broadband (so-called VDSL/Triple Play mix) as crucial (high or very high concordance) for the diffusion of VDSL.

Fast and convenient access to content via a variety of consumer devices and the use of broadband communications applications are also mentioned as important factors for the spread of VDSL. What deserves special attention here is that two of the five most important factors focus on customer service. For the consumer, the level of service, convenience and ease of use are key.

Figure 11:		Factors influencing the diffusion of VDSL (consumers)8

VDSL can be delivered by different kinds of infrastructure providers. The key question here is which providers have the best growth opportunities on the VDSL market? The answer is clear: broadband experts reckon that the providers with telephone network infrastructures will have the highest growth opportunities by far (Figure 12).

What is also striking is the huge gap compared with the second and third-placed providers without telephone networks as well as with cable networks. In this context, the long history of effective management of innovative telecom products appears to play a special role in consumer perceptions.

Figure 12:		Growth opportunities for different provider groups on the VDSL market (broadband experts)