The number of home-based customer service agents in the U.S. is set to explode over the next three years, according to a recent report. Already capturing the imagination of contact center managers and self-service organizations, thanks to the flexibility they provide, <A HREF="http://searchcrm.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid11_gci1157181,00.html?track=sy186">home-based agents</A> are expected to number 300,000 by 2010, nearly triple the current figure of 112,000. Labeled homeshoring by IDC, the practice of allowing contact center agents to work from home is being driven by several factors. Rising gas prices are helping to convince employees to work from home at least part of the time. Escalating housing costs in urban centers are forcing longer commute times and providing further incentive to work from home. A backlash against offshore outsourcing of contact center jobs and relatively stagnant U.S. wages should also contribute to the growth of the number of home-based agents, as companies look for agents familiar with American culture and the English language.