The LIDB Survey

SUMMARY

A Report Card On LIDB Provisioning

With a multi-million dollar market hanging in the balance, LIDB providers are targeting carriers with new features and services, deploying new pricing strategies, and establishing aggressive arrangements. Yet carriers continue to embrace competitive offers, abandoning frequently long-standing relationships in favor of alternative providers. What is motivating these migrations? Why are carriers opting for the competition? What makes one LIDB provider more attractive than another? Competitors will spend $ millions in product planning and marketing, and yet many will miss the mark.

What ultimately must determine the long-term winners is a firm understanding of what the customer wants. There are no short cuts. The only way to capture the needs of the customer is to deal with the customer directly... To ask of the customer -- directly -- what matters to him today, how he projects those needs evolving over each of the next five years... What he feels the vendor must do to win and retain his business!

In a bold departure from traditional report formats, The PELORUS Group is pleased to announce an exhaustive survey constructed entirely of primary research. Entitled "The LIDB Survey", it is a quantitative service, packed with what product planners & market developers ask for most -- data. It has one overriding goal: To quantify, once and for all, usage patterns, trends, and needs within one of the most intriguing markets in the world ? LIDB services provisioning. More than just a leverage for market analysis and business development, this report, packed with actionable insight, is a gateway to executive decision making!

EXHAUSTIVE, PROVOCATIVE INTERVIEWS - GUARANTEED!

The PELORUS Group rewards Subscribers to The LIDB Survey with a deft close-up of REAL trends in the following areas:

• LIDB Selection Criteria
• Plans to Switch LIDB Provider
  • Within the Next 12 Months
  • Within 1 to 2 Years
  • Within 3 to 5 Years
• LIDB Performance Rating
• Service Provider Perception Rating
• Functions/Services Desired
• Hottest Features/Capabilities
• Reasons For Abandoning Previous Provider
• Satisfaction levels With Current LIDB Providers In Areas Such As:
  • Compensation
  • Storage Fees & Non-recurring Set-up Fees
  • Data Storage
  • Degree Of Data Security
  • Level Of Fraud Control
  • Data Confidentiality
  • Data Administration Interface
  • Operational Support
  • Standard Interface vs. Proprietary Interface
  • Ability To Offer Vertical Services Beyond ABS
  • Responsiveness/Flexibility
  • And More!
• Willingness To Pay
• Rating Of LIDB Selection Criteria
• Rating Of Data Administration Technologies
• Sensitivity to Price Changes
• Propensity To Employ Hub Providers
• Importance Rating Among QO's for:
  • Calling Card Verification
  • Message Settlements
  • Fraud Prevention
  • Billing And Collection
  • Operator Support
    • Branding
    • Call Routing
    • Operator Handling
    • Blocking/Screening
  • Type Of Service (res/bus, public phone, etc.)
  • Preferred Language
  • Identification Of Service Provider For Each Number
• Importance Rating Among QO's For:
  • Query Charges
  • Types Of Data
  • Ubiquity Of Data Offering
  • Data Accuracy
  • Data Downloading
  • Transaction-based Access
  • Preferred LIDB Storage Intervals
  • GetData Capability
• Preference For New Data Types
• Importance Of Access Protocols Over Next 24 Months
  • LDAP
  • IS41
• Sensitivity To Fees:
  • Hub Fees
  • Transport Fees
  • Query Rates/Access Charges
  • Protocol Conversion (bundled vs. unbundled charges)
  • Volume Discounts
• Motivation To Increase The Number Of Times A LIDB Is Queried
• And Much More!

BENEFITS TO SUBSCRIBERS:

Comprehensive interviews with a representative cross-section of your market. Questions will be incisive, carefully designed to cut out fluff -- and all interviews will be conducted via telephone... No Mailers!

Finally, data will be generated that once and for all provides a clear picture of LIDB priorities, preferences and usage patters. Specifically, definitive insight will be provided into:

• Pricing levels -- acceptable, unacceptable desired
• Features/Functions sought
• Vendor/Carrier satisfaction levels
• Training and technical support
• Service perception
• Willingness to pay
• Variations by market sector
• Impact of new technologies
• Why different customers buy (Reputations, price, etc.)

All data will be available by Industry sector ? CLEC, ILEC, WSP, Hub provider, etc.

This Survey takes a national and multifaceted view into the most important issues facing LIDB providers and QO's. The data will assist in:

• Product planning
• Business development
• Pricing strategies
• Data access and provisioning strategies
• Marketing
• Customer relations

SOME ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTION

Why Is This Research Different?

Its unique difference rests in the specificity and granularity of the survey vehicle. Data will be gathered from dozens of telephone interviews with key carriers across different industry segments. Questions will be focused and provocative. As far as we know, no other product on the market offers as much data dedicated to the LIDB arena. Similar research conducted on a custom basis, or research conducted internally could easily run your organization over $30,000 -- not to mention the time and grief associated with conducting the data gathering process. We expend that time and energy for you -- at a fraction of the cost.

What Is The Purpose Of The Research?

The objective of the research is to qualify LIDB selection criteria, satisfaction levels, willingness to pay, and future LIDB plans.

Who Will Be Interviewed?

LIDB providers, HUB providers, and Query Originators from the ranks of CLECs, WSPs, ILECs -- any organization that utilizes LIDB is a potential target.

Who Would Benefit From This Research?

Organizations that are involved in the LIDB eco-system. Inclusive in this group, but not limited to it, are:

• LIDB Providers
• Query Originators
• HUB Providers
• Data/Billing Clearing Houses
• OSPs
• Database Providers
• Administrative System Vendors
• Wireless Services Providers
• LECs
• IXCs
• Regulatory Concerns
• Switch Manufacturers
• International Concerns

Why Is This Study So Important To Me?

After performing market research assignments for many years, including publishing some of the most significant research reports in either the \'80s or 90s, The PELORUS Group found that time and time again its clientele would seek its services specifically to better understand what the market was really looking for, beyond merely the forecasts of analysts. In our opinion, many competitors have significantly misread the market due to the paucity of solid primary data.

In addition, with the economic recovery proceeding at a snail's pace, accurate interpretations of user needs and plans --- and willingness to spend -- is not just important, it becomes essential to both short and long term success.

Subscribers will gain independent, data-centric information that may prove crucial in the critical time ahead. They will be awarded with not just another market research study, not another product parade or rehash of unsubstantiated forecasts; Subscribers -- and only Subscribers -- will benefit from an exclusive insider's perspective of what governs user decisions today and over the next five years.

When Will The Study Be Made Available?

The finalized survey results are scheduled to be released on September 15, 2003. Subscribers will receive their own copy of the study, a copy of the questionnaire, and a list of names and addresses of all respondents who have authorized release of that information.