The Number’s Game Is Ringing Up Wins for the Cable Guys

Looks like the cable operators are winning and the Bells are losing when it comes to where the numbers are these days in new subscriber signups.

The stat I want to see is how many of these “new” lines are true switch to VoIP from the cable operator or first time installs (i.e. new homes) versus second lines which means the Bell’s didn’t lose their existing customer’s business, they just didn’t get the second line in the home.

This is a very important stat because it will show velocity of sales. If the new sign ups to Cable VoIP are indeed pure take-a-ways from the Baby Bells, then one has to realize that over time the rate of lines lost will be massive and the shift to VoIP will be won by the MSOs.

However, if the MSO’s are only getting the second line in the home business then the rate of adoption would have to be reported lower and in turn its impact on the network operators more cautiously.