50 CHANNELVISION | 2026 DIRECTORY The start of a new year always invites reflection – on what we accomplished, what challenged us and where the next 12 months may take us. I’ve had the privilege of writing this column for several years now, and each January, I look to the public tea leaves from leading research firms and my own observations to understand where the wind is blowing in our Channel. This year, the forecast is clear: opportunity is everywhere but only for those prepared to evolve. A Strong Market for Internet Network Access with Stronger Expectations It remains a great time to be in our Channel. Demand for internet access – our financial backbone – continues to rise across both wireless and wireline. While we don’t anticipate double-digit growth, the projected nine-year forecast remains remarkable given the market’s sheer scale. Someverticals are accelerating even faster. Several forces are driving this sustained demand: • Cloud and SaaS applications pushing bandwidth requirements • AI workloads requiring low‑latency, high‑capacity connectivity • Remote and hybrid workforces needing secure, high‑speed access Research firms project 16 percent CAGR in internet traffic during the next five years, underscoring the long‑term strength of the market. At the same time, circuit costs will continue to fall while bandwidth increases. This puts pressure on service providers to attach value‑added services – proactive management, wireless backup, DDoS protection – to offset declining ARPU. AI also will reshape the operational side of the business. Quote‑to‑delivery timelines will shrink as carriers adopt practical AI tools. Those who fail to modernize their systems and processes will fall behind as customers increasingly expect faster quoting, clearer order visibility and a dramatically improved experience. UCaaS: Still Growing, Evolving Moving up the stack, UCaaS saw double‑digit growth in 2025, and the momentum continues. At NHC, we’ve been designing, selling and supporting By Glen Nelson THE CHANNEL IN 2026 Momentum, Modernization and the Move Up‑Stack Sources: Frost & Sullivan U.S. Enterprise Network Survey; MarketsandMarkets Business Internet Forecast; Grand View Research Broadband Market Outlook 8.0% 4.5% 6.2% Market size: $119.9B (2024) ––> $184.6B (2033) 5.0% CAGR (%) 4.8% 6.5% 8.1% 7.0% 6.0% 5.0% 4.0% 3.0% 2.0% 1.0% Small Business (1-50) Mid-Market (51-500) Large Enterprise (500+) Broadband (Cable/Fiber) DIA (Dedicated Access) Wireless/5G Business Internet U.S. Business Internet Access Demand – CAGR by Segment Type
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