Small and Medium Business Communications Services

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Jason Blackwell

Research Director, Consumer Multiplay and SMB Services



IDC's Small and Medium Business Communications Services service examines the connectedness opportunities and challenges in adopting advanced communications technology products and services that small and midsize businesses (SMBs) in the United States with fewer than 1,000 employees face. This program provides forecasts, vendor profiles, and analysis of the consumption of telecom solutions such as voice, unified communications (i.e., UCaaS), SD-WAN, broadband, and wireless. The research examines communications service provider strategies for targeting the SMB market and evaluates the competitive positioning of a variety of players including traditional telecom providers, cable MSOs, and managed service providers. This service provides quantitative data in the areas of business bundling, broadband, mobility, and voice services. This data is supplemented and enhanced by annual surveys on SMB preferences, adoption, and behaviors related to these communications services.


Markets and Subjects Analyzed


  • SMB broadband, voice, and wireless bundled services
  • SMB broadband services including cable, fiber, DSL, and fixed wireless access
  • Migration from legacy voice to advanced IP-based voice services
  • Managed services for SMB including managed Wi-Fi and SD-WAN
  • SMB unified communications and collaboration (UCaaS)
  • Cable MSO business and bundling strategy
  • Cloud-based business applications
  • Adoption of wireless solutions by SMBs

Core Research


  • SMB Telecom, Voice, and Data Revenue Forecast
  • Managed Wi-Fi Services Forecast and Analysis
  • U.S. SMB Broadband Services Forecast
  • SMB Telecom, Broadband, and Video Survey Analysis
  • SMB Managed Services Survey Analysis
  • SMB Communications Services Survey Analysis

In addition to the insight provided in this service, IDC may conduct research on specific topics or emerging market segments via research offerings that require additional IDC funding and client investment.


Key Questions Answered


  1. Which business segments are adopting new IP-based and managed services?
  2. How can service providers maximize their service offerings to drive subscribership and reduce churn?
  3. Which managed services will drive new growth opportunities for service providers in the SMB market?
  4. What are the factors and emerging trends influencing SMB data and voice migration, technology adoption, and telecom purchasing decisions?
  5. How will mobility influence and integrate into SMB business operations, driving new models and opportunities for growth? Which technology and partnerships will make service providers the most competitive when selling these services to businesses?

Companies Covered