A new International Data Corp report estimates that 2.1 million ISDN terminal adapters were sold in 1996, generating revenues of over $745m. The major market was predominantly European as the telecoms companies try to keep pace with ISDN installations, the market being driven by the need for faster Internet and telecommuting connections. While faster technologies are on the horizon such as ADSL and cable modems, and more cost-effective alternatives such as 56Kbps, ISDN is the only reliable and widespread technology which offers significant performance improvement over conventional dial-up lines, IDC believes. It says that scale economies brought on by this demand should further reduce the cost of ISDN equipment.
