Cutting the Cord: Wireline Displacement in Western Europe

Fixed-line displacement and line loss for voice services are issues that have been widely discussed in the industry. This document aims to look at the phenomenon in a broader perspective, considering the total number of copper, cable, or fiber connections in residential use for voice, Internet, or TV services. It assesses historical and future connection numbers and penetration rates for each of the infrastructures and services. In addition, it analyzes the factors that have determined the current status of wireline displacement in the Western European countries and those that will do so in the foreseeable future. Finally, it looks at the impact that the changes in penetration of the different types of infrastructures and services have on spending.

"As they are faced with continued line loss, wireline operators need to adapt their portfolios to the goals of maximizing value and loyalty per customer, rather than maximizing revenues per service segment," said Jan Hein Bakkers, research manager in the IDC European Telecoms and Networking group.