Industry News

But not so fast, says Jupiter Media Metrix, whose analysts have not seen a remarkable increase in traffic on online billing sites since recent events. Jupiter points out that many consumers still do not even have an EBPP option from many of their billers.

RHK reports that capital expenditures by North American wireline service providers will continue to decline in 2002, but may recover late in the year or by early 2003. While capital expenditures soared to $92 billion in 2000, the firm has predicted they would fall to approximately $66 billion by the end of 2001, but could reach $80 billion by 2005. RHK expects spending during the next few years in response to IP traffic demands, improved operating cash flow and the consolidation of service providers.