The goal of this original survey is to take stock of the situation from various angles, including equipment levels, connectivity, consumers’ current and future requirements, etc. The ultimate purpose being to achieve a deeper understanding of the process of switching from broadband to ultra-fast broadband, and to deliver concrete explanations of what consumers view as incentives or disincentives to switch.

Context
• Any analysis of the development of ultra-fast broadband around the world still relies to a large degree on examining operators’ rollouts and the services they market.
• The latest data on homes passed and actual subscribers reveal huge disparities in national FTTH/B penetration rates, without offering any detailed explanation.
•The report being drafted explores the topic of FTTH/B market development from the demand side of the equation, in other words by conducting a survey of the users themselves.

Scope & Methodology   
• Survey carried out in May and June in four countries:
- the United States   
- Japan   
- France    
- Sweden

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Executive Summary

2. Methodology

3. Internet
• Internet coverage levels, broadband and ultra-fast broadband (UFB)
• Broadband and UFB take-up levels
• Types of subscription (connection speed, ISP, pricing, bundles)  

4. UFB subscribers’ multimedia equipment
• Results by type of equipment: computer, TV/video, games, connectivity…
•  Are UFB households over-equipped?
•  Was the equipment bought before or after subscribing to ultra-fast broadband?

5. How UFB subscribers use the internet
• The most bandwidth-hungry applications (download and upload)
• Type and frequency of use: TV and video, games, other
• Is there really a connection between supposedly killer apps and UFB adoption?  
• Were these consumption habits adopted pre or post- ultra-fast broadband?

6. Switching mechanisms
• Users’ degree of satisfaction with their internet connection, according to use
• UFB subscribers
  - Switching incentives/triggers
  - Sales (churn, marketing, price differences)  
• Planning to switch: catalysts and sales approach
• Broadband customers with no plans to upgrade: reasons for not switching to UFB
• Does UFB really deliver a noticeably enhanced user experience?
• Can we pinpoint the key elements driving the switch to ultra-fast broadband?