Part I of this USTelecom dailyLead special year-end report looked back at the most important trends and stories of 2008. Part II, below, highlights our predictions -- and yours -- for what's in store for 2009.

While it is difficult to predict all that will happen next year, from my vantage point, I expect 2009 to bring both opportunities and challenges for our industry. As they do every year, providers will spend most of their time focusing on delivering advanced services and meeting customer demand for bandwidth.

As a fun way to look back, while still looking forward, we decided to run poll questions for this year's report similar to last year's. Now we can compare where you saw the industry heading in 2008 and where you see it heading as we move into 2009. As expected, broadband and broadband technologies continue to be key drivers for our industry. So no surprises that on the first question, both last year and this year, more than 40% of you see video as an effective means to stay competitive. Broadband video is expected to continue its momentum, with 40% of you ranking it as the hot technology for 2009; last year, broadband video ranked as the top technology to watch among 25% of respondents. FTTH and FTTP also showed year-over-year gains, with 24% ranking it as the second-hottest technology to watch, just 19% did so in the year-earlier poll, which ranked it as the third-hottest, up-and-coming technology.

As you gear up for 2009, make sure you mark your calendars for SUPERCOMM 2009 (June 8 to 11) in Chicago, the leading event for the converged-communications industry. USTelecom also invites you to visit its Web site throughout the year for educational forums and webinars.

Here's to a prosperous new year. I hope you enjoy reading the rest of our readers' survey results below. Happy New Year.