I'd like an analysis of the online backup business focusing on the
consumer market. This breaks into the following areas.

1. Market research of the online backup market. Any research that can
answer the following questions:
    o What are consumers attitudes towards online backup.
    o What are the price points for adoptation of online backup? In
other words, at $x/month what percentage of people would sign up vs
$y/month.

2. Who are the current players in the market? 
    Identify market share of the different players if possible. For
each player, identify:
        o features
        o pricing. Please include all the tiers of service for each provider.
        o reviews if any of the provider

This question is somewhat similar to the outdated
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=190384
but you can use it as a starting point.

An example of an article that provides quite a bit of the information
I'm interested in:
http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/business/technology/personal_technology/8743720.htm

<Online backup services

Attitudes.
Strong demand for back-up services from teleworkers.
A 2002, survey of 10,800 internet households carried out by Parks
Associates found that teleworkers are 27.5% more likely to buy data
back-up services than non-teleworkers. In addition 24.6% of
teleworkers want to subscribe to a data back-up service.
http://www.nwfusion.com/net.worker/news/2002/0923netlead.html

A survey carried out in 2001, which asked 2,980 ISP customers what
additional services they wanted from their ISP found that 40% wanted
online backup and recovery.
http://www.netforecast.com/Articles/ISP_Most_Wanted.htm

A number of surveys show that despite placing great value on the
information stored on their computers, most people do not back-up
their files on a regular basis.

A national survey by Harris Interactive for Imation Corp. found that
three out of five PC owners (57%) had lost a file that they thought
had been sufficiently stored.
85% of PC owners were very concerned about losing data.
One in four PC owners said they frequently backed up files, 36
sometimes, 22 seldom and 9% didn?t know how to back up files.
CD?s are the most favoured medium for backing up files ? used by 76%
of respondents.
http://www.imation.com/en_US/main.jhtml?Id=10_02_02&Article=2002_09_18_dsim_survey.xml

A survey from PC Magazine found that less than half of respondents
back up as often as weekly. Over a third said they never back up or
only when they think about it. Many didn?t remember and several
complained that backing up interferes with normal use of their PC.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1591393,00.asp

A UK survey 2003 found that out of 420 users, two-thirds never back up
their data, one-fifth do so occasionally, 7% back up their data once a
week and just five do so once a day. The most common reason was for
not backing up data was lack of time, followed by the cost or
complexity of back up technology.
http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/0,39020351,39118536,00.htm

A study of the file management needs of students at Washington
University found that 81% of students want to access their files using
a web browser and that 71% want at least 500 MB of storage space.
http://techfee.washington.edu/proposals/page12/proposals/2004-121-1

8% of broadband users store files on the internet. (Source: Pew
Internet and American Life Project 2002)
http://66.102.11.104/search?q=cache:Tgd8hixxEzUJ:www.ciscopress.com/content/images/1587200902/samplechapter/1587200902_CH05.pdf+%22store+files%22+consumers+respondents&hl=en

Broadband Elite.
Broadband Elite users are defined as those who do ten or more internet
activities a day.
21% of broadband Elite and 4% of other broadband users store files on
the internet. http://www.internet-marketing-branding.com/broadband/Broadband_Lifestyle.htm

------------------------------------------------------
Pricing.
$14.95 a month for 4GB storage space is most in demand with Ibackup customers.
According to Raghu Kulkarni a spokesman for Ibackup, the demand for
storage services is growing. Although they offer plans costing up to
$14.95, $34.95 and $99.95 per month, their most popular plan costs
$14.95 a month for 4GB backup.
http://earthlink.com.com/Hotmail+incinerates+customer+files/2100-1038_3-5226090.html

A survey of what mobile users would be willing to pay for backup found
that users would pay the highest monthly subscription for back up of
address book contents and MMS images. They would be willing to pay
$1.90 per month for backup of contacts and $2.90 for all content.
http://www.zelosgroup.com/sr/243-1.asp

-------------------------------------------------------
The market for mobile data backup.
According to the report Mobile Data Backup: Monetizing User Generated
Content, published May 2004, about 15 percent of mobile subscribers
expressed a strong need for a mechanism to backup contacts entered on
mobile handsets. The Zelos group estimates the current market for
mobile data backup is between 15 and 20 percent of cellular
subscribers.

Target market.
Young consumers aged 18-25 are the most attractive demographic group
for mobile backup services. They are almost twice as likely to want a
backup system than average adults.

The full report costs $1,195.
http://www.zelosgroup.com/sr/265-1.asp

-----------------------------------------------
Companies

ibackup.com
http://www.ibackup.com/

Features
Automatic scheduling, data compression, incremental/full back ups and
encryption. Browser based and downloadable applications for Windows,
Linux/Unix and Mac Platfoms. SSl encryption.
 
Pricing
$14.95 per month for 4GB
$34.95 per month for 10GB
$99.95 per month for 25GB
http://www.ibackup.com/charginghelp_new.htm

Reviews
Review in PC Magazine June 17, 2003. Editor rating 4 out of 5.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1090093,00.asp

----------------------------------------------------
Glorio
http://www.datasalvation.com/answers.php?section=services&category=what

Features.
The software determines which files need backing up. Encryption and
compression of files. Online directory for retrieval of files. Data is
stored on reliable, ultra-secure, double-redundant, uninterruptible,
self-healing backup servers that are kept under 24/7 surveillance in a
specially designed offsite vault.
http://www.datasalvation.com/answers.php?section=services&category=what

Pricing 
First month free. $36 per month for 1GB, unlimited bandwidth. After
1GB, $32.40 for each additional gigabyte.
http://www.datasalvation.com/answers.php?section=services&category=price

Reviews
PC Magazine. June 8, 2004. Editor rating 3.5 out of 5.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1584636,00.asp

Gloria in the Media.
http://www.datasalvation.com/answers.php?section=company&category=notices

------------------------------------------------------
SwapDrive Backup

Features
Wizard based installation. Secure automatic backups. Fast data
recovery. Takes less than 5 minutes to set up. 24 hours a day 7 days a
week service. http://www.swapdrive.com/products.asp

Pricing
10 MB for $20 per year.
100MB for $7.50 per month
250 MB for $15.00 per month
500 MB for $25.00 per month
1GB for $30.00 per month
2GB for $50.00 per month
https://www.swapdrive.com/sales_amount.asp

Reviews
PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1585223,00.asp

-----------------------------------------------------
@Backup ? Swap Drive is the parent company of @Backup.

Features
Encryption. Redundant data storage. Data centers separated by 3000
miles. Automatic scheduling. 24 x 7 service.
http://www.backup.com/learnmore_secure.html

Pricing
Free 30 day trial.
50 MB - $49.95 per year
100 MB - $99.00 per year
200 MB - $149.00 per year
300 MB - $199.00 per year
400 MB -  $249.00 per year
500 MB - $299.00 per year
1 GB - $595.00 per year
2 GB - $995.00 per year
http://www.backup.com/learnmore_price.html

Reviews
PC Magazine, June 17, 2003 ? Editor rating 3 out of 5.
http://www.pcmag.com/print_article/0,3048,a=41691,00.asp
---------------------------------------------------
Xdrive
The company has 25,000 individual customers.
http://www.xdrive.com/

Features
Automatic scheduling. Secure, remote storage facility.
http://www.xdrive.com/features/backup.jsp

Pricing
15 day trial.
500 MB for $9.95 per month
750 MB for 13.95 per month
1000MB for $16.95 per month
2000 MB for $29.95 per month
5000 MB for $49.95 per month.
http://www.xdrive.com/tryit/pricing.jsp

Reviews
PC Magazine, May 18, 2004.
http://www.xdrive.com/aboutus/media_coverage_pcmag_05_18_2004.jsp

Computer Shopper, May 17, 2004.
http://www.xdrive.com/aboutus/media_coverage_cshop_05_17_2004.jsp

Investor?s Business Daily, April 9, 2004.
http://www.xdrive.com/aboutus/media_coverage_ibd_04_09_2004.jsp

Xdrive in the media.
http://www.xdrive.com/aboutus/media_coverage.jsp

------------------------------------------------------------
First Backup 
This company claims to have the lowest prices.
http://www.firstbackup.com/

Features.
Getting started wizard. Silent mode. Ultra-secure storage of data.
Three different encryption algorithms ? Secure Blowfish, Triple-DES,
DES. Binary patching and incremental backup technology. Automatic
scheduling of backups. Customisable backup sets, file selections and
filters. File restoration from any computer. Open file backup.
Redundant file elimination. Multiple file versions. Firewall/proxy
support. CPU utilisation. Automatic software upgrades. Email
notification of backups. 3rd party tool integration. Master log file.
http://www.firstbackup.com/Product/Features/default.asp


50 MB for $3.29 per month for when paid annually.
100MB for $4.16 per month (paid annually).
200 MB for $5.00 per month (paid annually).
300 MB for $7.99 per month.
400 MB for $8.99 per month.
500 MB for $9.99 per month.
750 MB for $12.99 per month.
1GB for $13.89 per month.
Over 1GB - $2.75/GB per month.
Discount are given for annual payment.
http://www.firstbackup.com/Product/Pricing/default.asp
----------------------------------------------------------
Cap Sure
Over 2000 customers in 24 countries.
http://www.capsure.com/ 

Features.
Multiple languages- English, Spanish, German, Dutch and French. 448
bit encryption of data. Three choices of encryption ? blowfish, DES or
Triple-DES. Backup with proxy servers and through firewalls. Dual
error-checking. Data centre is located on two separate power grids.
Files reduced by up to 99%. Redundant file list. Automatic scheduling.
Silent mode. Compatible with third-party scheduling programs. Open
file backups. 24 hours a day, 7days a week service. Individual file or
complete data restoration. Keeps 30 days of backups on hand. Getting
Started Wizard. Wildcard usage for file selection. Automatic software
upgrades.
http://www.capsure.com/features.htm

Pricing.
30 day free trial.
$9.95 for 200MB
$19.95 per month for 500 MB
$29.95 per month for 1 GB
Each additional GB $14.95
http://www.capsure.com/pricing.htm
--------------------------------------------------------
Back Up Solutions
Features
Award winning software. Full system or data only backups. Encryption
of files using 112 bit triple DES. Up to ten versions of all files are
stored. Automatic scheduled backups. Silent mode. Roll back can
restore an entire PC configuration to a selected date in the past.
Data can be recovered anywhere, anytime.

Pricing
Limited data backup
$6.95 per month for 250 MB
Data Backup
$14.95 per month for 4 GB
$24.95 per month for 10 GB
$37.45 per month for 15 GB
$74.95 per month for 30 GB
Full system backup
$6.95 for 10 GB
Discount available for multiple discounts and 5% discount for annual payment.
http://www.backuphelp.com/backup/pricing.htm
Customer testimonials.
http://www.backuphelp.com/backup/testimonials.htm

---------------------------------------------------------
Nova Star
Features
Secure, encrypted. NovaNet-Web Client Software. Getting Started
Wizard. Silent Mode. FastBIT binary incremental backups ? 99%
reduction in back up times and bandwidth requirements. Support Dial-up
Networking, Internet and TCP/IP Network Protocols. Automatic
scheduling. File selection filters. Encryption and compression. Email
notification.
http://services.online-backup.com/homepc.asp

Pricing
500 MB for $17.95 per month.
Additional 250 MB $9.95 per month.
Personal recovery CD - $24.95 per CD.
http://services.online-backup.com/store/deptmain_ols.asp

Review
http://storage.ziffdavis.com/article2/0,3973,906289,00.asp
Novastor rated 2.93 out of a possible 5.
http://www.nwfusion.com/reviews/2002/0422rev.html

--------------------------------------------------------------
NetMass
Features
Automatic scheduling. Encryption. Data stored at secure geographically
separated locations. 24 x 7 access.
http://www.netmass.com/olb_features.html

Pricing
15-day free trial
250MB for $9.95 per month, $8.75 for each additional 250 MB
500 MB for $14.95 per month, $8.75 for each additional 250 MB
1 GB for $19.95 per month
Entire system back up ? 1GB for $34.95 per month, $8.75 for each additional 250 MB
Custom plans also offered. 
http://www.netmass.com/olb_pricing.html

Reviews
Computer User. Interview with Mark Martin, founder of NetMass.
http://www.computeruser.com/articles/daily/10,56,1,0201,03.html

NetMass Backup
http://www.networkcomputing.com/1023/1023ni.html?ls=NCJS_1101rt

--------------------------------------
Data Backup Inc.
http://www.backmeupoffsite.com/index.html

Features
Automatic backup. Data stored in secure data centers in high-level
security environments. Replication and redundancy. File migration.
Encryption. Block differential. Compression. Automatic file selection.
Automatic scheduler. Point and click restore. 24 x7 service. Restore
to the date or prior backups.
http://www.backmeupoffsite.com/features_prod_tech_overview.html

Pricing
Data only
250 MB for $10.99 per month.
6 GB for $22.99 per month.
35 GB for $69.99 per month.
50 GB for $99.99 per month
Full system
15 GB for $37.99 per month.
35 GB for $69.99 per month.
50 GB for $99.99 per month.
http://www.backmeupoffsite.com/dwld_download.html

--------------------------------------------------------
Market share.
I have performed a number of searches to try to identify market share,
but without success. Xdrive seems to be a major player in the
individual market with 25,000 customers. The only other company that
gives any indication of its size is CapSure with 2,000 customers in 20
countries.>

---------------------------------------------------------
<Additional links:>

<Online backup market research>
<http://www.meganet.net/pdfs/onlinebkresearch.pdf>


<Search strategy:>

<backup respondents consumers>
<://www.google.com/search?q=backup+respondents+consumers&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&start=10&sa=N>

<"back up" "willing to pay" respondents>
<://www.google.com/search?q=%22back+up%22+%22willing+to+pay%22+respondents&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&start=10&sa=N>


<Hope this helps.>

Nice detailed answer. Wish some of the researches that you found
didn't cost thousands of dollars to read, but obviously that's not
something you have control over.