PCCW's Lee noted that applications are becoming more complex and as a result require more bandwidth and better levels of resiliency and security. "This is driving the migration from traditional point-to-point leased lines and ATM networks to high speed IP-based infrastructure," he said. "Multipoint-to-multipoint networks such as IP-VPNs are now the preferred choice today."

Lee agreed with Chan that increasingly companies will require more help in network planning and optimization as users add more complex applications. "Rather than simply add bandwidth to support new applications they want more advice on how to configure and make networks more flexible to support new applications," Lee added. "Network planning and monitoring tools and services should be the hot items demanded by enterprises next year to enable better application management."

Service focus

IDC's Ho noted that traditional services such as data center hosting, network maintenance and monitoring have already been outsourced or out-tasked by Hong Kong companies for many years. But managed security offerings like managed intrusion detection and prevention, firewalls, email, and compliance are now seeing some early adoption in Hong Kong. Managed mobility is also sparking interest with mobile applications, remote access and security the key areas that enterprises are looking to address.

PCCW's Lee has also noticed the uptake in security-related services. "CIOs are asking for security as they add more remote users and services to the network," he said.