Remote Workers To Drive Demand For Business Broadband.

Growing numbers of remote workers and telecommuters are driving increased demand for broadband services and equipment across businesses of all sizes, according to a set of recent reports from high tech market research firm, In-Stat/MDR.

In-Stat’s research determined that over half of the U.S. workforce perform their jobs in what could be considered remote sites. The bulk of these workers are in small remote branch offices or are telecommuters in 2001. By 2005, In-Stat expects more than 60% of the workforce to be considered remote, driving continued need for remote connectivity and high-speed Web access for remote workers.

For several years, US businesses have slowly fragmented into multiple remote sites, including telecommuters’ home offices. This trend has accelerated over the last few years. Increased availability of broadband access, like cable modem and DSL services, has certainly facilitated, if not enabled, the recent increase in remote workers, Sys Kneko Burney, Director eBusiness Infrastructure & Services for In-Stat. In-Stat expects fragmentation to continue, as businesses continue to accommodate highly skilled professionals by allowing them to work from home, also in tandem with keeping employees closer to customers in branch offices around the globe.

However, businesses face a growing number of challenges supporting their remote workforce, adds Burney. She points out that remote workers can strain IT resources and, according to the research, are becoming more of a priority for business decision-makers in the U.S. This presents service providers with a host of opportunities to address the changing needs of these workers. From VPN connectivity to hosted applications, U.S. businesses are looking for solutions for their remote workers’ needs. Outside services, including broadband solutions, are becoming the best choices for these customers.

The research also found:

– There are nearly 3 million remote offices in the U.S. business market. By 2005, this number is expected to grow to nearly 5 million.

– Another interesting opportunity is the growing number of Internet-accessing telecommuters working for U.S. firms. There will be more than 21 million telecommuters in 2001. By 2005, service providers will have nearly 35 million telecommuters to offer service to.

– More than half of those surveyed expressed interest in purchasing VPN services to connect remote locations and employees, even among small businesses.

– U.S. businesses are expected to spend more than $160 billion on communications services and equipment in 2001, and nearly $260 billion by 2005.

For more information at http://www.instat.com.