Western Europe Home Networking Forecast and Analysis, 2003-2008

IDC's Western European Home Networking Forecast and Analysis, 2003–2008 presents an assessment of the market for wireless and fixed local area networks in the home. This study incorporates current year data and forecasts for total home network household penetration. Breakdowns are provided by network type (PC networks, multimedia networks, and entertainment networks), with detailed breakdowns by technology provided for PC networks (wireless — 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11a, and dual and multi-mode — as well as wired — Ethernet, Powerline, and Phoneline).

"At present, the majority of home networks are constituted of multiple PCs, connected by an Ethernet/wireless router to a broadband modem, in order to share Internet access, and in some instances peripherals, notably printers," said Jason Armitage, senior research analyst, EMEA Consumer Devices and Technologies. "During the forecast period, consumer device vendors will embed LAN technologies in products, first as a means of differentiating offerings, then as a standard feature. Service providers will back technologies that extend usage and revenue opportunities to new user situations in the home. And consumers will come to experience home networking as more than an expensive novelty prefaced by long hours calling helpdesks."