We thought about the risks, the benefits and the possibilities of a broadband infrastructure that would be like no other. This expansion of technology eventually would allow consumers endless ways of communicating via high-speed connections that would change the way people exchange and receive information forever. While US markets were limited because of regulatory constraints, international markets were beginning to experiment with multiple products. In the United Kingdom, for instance, operators started offering telephony on top of video services. Other markets in Europe and Japan followed, and the promise of convergent broadband networks now is becoming an international reality.
Some key factors have to be considered to lay the groundwork for successful deployment.
A classic international expansion strategy establishes the framework needed when viewing a new international market. If the key components are not present, the risk of failure is much greater. Each serves as a building block on the other, creating a template that can be used each time a new international market is considered. Of all the strategic factors, establishing relationships with local partners is the essence of successful deployment. Finding partners who are familiar with the area and dynamic make-up of the region is crucial.