Blocking the office surfer.

Many companies are going to block Net access at work. This poses problems for Web sites who depend on day time traffic. Most users get their high speed connection at work. Nearly 87 percent of people accessing the Net from work are using a broadband connection compared with about 28 percent from home, according to Net researcher CoinScore Networks.

If corporate Web filtering of mainstream sites becomes widespread, it could cut into revenue or new subscription offerings at a time when many business models are finally finding solid ground.

Companies that stand to lose from corporate filtering include game sites like "The Sims," commerce hot spots like eBay, online dating sites like MatchMaker.com, and news and entertainment outlets focused on delivering in rich media formats such as video or audio--areas that largely rely on broadband access for speed and quality.

One network performance analyst at a Fortune 10 company estimated that 10 percent to 20 percent of all network traffic is nonwork-related. The analyst, who didn't want to be named, said that can add up quickly.

"If you're looking at a company with an $82 million IT budget, and 10 percent of the network is going to non-work uses, you're saving $8 million if you can stop it," he said, adding that file-swapping, streaming news media, and gaming are among the most common activities.

The company, which uses network management software from Packeteer, already has cut off access to file-swapping services including Kazaa and multiplayer gaming site Kali.net. He said companies that pin their business models on a workplace audience need to watch their step, especially if Old Economy companies like his are jumping into the employee blocking fray.

(As reported in CNET, 1/24/03)