A new report from Point Topic provides an overview of the key trends in DSL and cable modem tariff benchmarks for 18 leading DSL and 16 cable modem operators around the world. The main body of the report analyses fluctuations in DSL prices since March 2000, cable modem prices since June 2003 and makes comparisons between both technologies where possible. Key highlights of this report include: DSL 'entry level' monthly rental prices registered an average 30 percent fall since March 2000, based on a review of monthly rentals offered by a leading set of 18 DSL operators. Monthly rentals for 'entry level' cable modem services fell on average by 21 percent between June 2003 and March 2005, compared to a modest 12 percent fall for DSL operators for the same period. A Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) analysis shows that Europe is becoming cheaper both for DSL and cable modem services than North America, with the Asia Pacific region the cheapest for DSL overall.
Retailers are forging ahead in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) tools to master the increasingly complex world of supply chain management. According to the latest ABI Research market study, more than 90 percent of global retailers are deploying AI to bolster decision-making and optimize operations. This movement underscores a pivotal transformation: retail supply chains evolve from static cost centers into intelligent systems capable of real-time adaptation. Driven by pressures from fulfillment complexity, labor challenges, and rising customer expectations, AI now sits at the heart of next-generation retail strategy. Retail Supply Chain Market Development Traditionally, retailers have struggled to balance speed, cost efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Now, the combined forces of e-commerce growth and ongoing geopolitical disruptions have amplified this challenge. Warehouse congestion, longer lead times, and volatile demand forecasts have underscored the need for predictive and...