June 5, 2007 -- The increasing popularity and increasing complexity of home networks will spur a doubling of fee-based home network support subscriptions in North America in 2007, reports In-Stat.
The high-tech market research firm contends that home networks are still primarily set up by tech-savvy consumers for themselves, their family, and their friends; however, consumer electronics retailers and broadband service providers are also offering home network support services, says the firm.
"As the number of nodes on a home network grows, the support headaches tend to increase, and even the tech-savvy guru in the household reaches a point where they no longer want to provide all the support for their friends and extended families," comments Joyce Putscher, an In-Stat analyst. "Another driver for these services is the broadband provider wanting to promote customer satisfaction, reduce customer churn, and protect revenue streams."
The firm's most recent research found the following: fee-based home network support service subscriptions and revenue in North America will double from 2006 to 2007; market growth will be driven by both established home network users and newly installed home network users; most participants in a survey preferred a monthly subscription model over an in-home, per-service-call fee model.
The In-Stat research, "North American Market For Home Network Support Services," provides a forecast of fee-based home network support service subscribers for Canada and the US, excluding free services. Relative end-user and consumer survey results are provided and utilized in the forecast model.
The research also includes analysis of consumer attitudes and motivations concerning network support services based on consumer survey results.