Despite leading the world in broadband subscribers, the US dropped from 17th to 20th place in broadband penetration over the past year (see Figures 1 & 2). Due to its slower growth rate the US fell behind Sweden, the UK, and even tiny Luxembourg in broadband uptake from March 2005 to March 2006, according to Point Topic. Meanwhile, US broadband penetration among active Internet users grew 1.34 percentage points to 73.1% in June 2006. Figure 1: Top 10 Broadband Countries by Subscribers Q1 2005 - Q1 2006 Worldwide, from March 2005 to March 2006, the US dropped from 17th to 20th place in broadband penetration among all countries surveyed. While the percentage of broadband households in the US grew by 27.1% over the past year (from 34.97% to 44.45%) the US fell behind Sweden, the UK, and Luxembourg due to their higher broadband growth rates (see Figure 2). UK broadband grew 52.3% from 29.6% to 45.1% penetration, leapfrogging the US from 21st to 18th, while tiny Luxembourg surged nearly 85% over the past year to 19th place. South Korea still leads all countries with 83% broadband penetration, followed by Hong Kong with 80.98%, Iceland at 74%, Israel at 69.08%, and Taiwan at 64.65% penetration. Figure 2: Top 20 Broadband Countries by Household Penetration Q1 2005 - Q1 2006 When measured by broadband takeup per 100 inhabitants, the numbers tell a different story. South Korea at 26 % penetration has lost its lead to three Western European countries: Denmark with 26.5%, Iceland at 26.4%, and the Netherlands at 26.35%. South Korea grew by a negligible amount of 3.1% while Denmark led the top five countries growing by 31.5% over the past year. The US is 19th overall with 16.61 broadband lines per 100 inhabitants behind Luxembourg, and just ahead of Macau (see Figure 3). Figure 3: Top 20 Broadband Countries by Population Penetration Q1 2005 - Q1 2006 US broadband penetration among active Internet users grew to 73.1% in June 2006. Narrowband users connecting at 56Kbps or less now comprise 26.9% of active Internet users, down 1.34 percentage points from 28.24% in May (see Figure 4). Figure 4: Web Connection Speed Trends - Home Users (US) In June 2006, broadband penetration in US homes jumped 1.34 percentage points to 73.1% up from 71.76% in May. This increase of 1.34 points is above the average increase in broadband of 1.14 points per month over the last six months (see Figure 5). At current growth rates US broadband should break 80% among active Internet users by December 2006. Note that a Nielsen analyst estimates that broadband penetration will plateau at 85% (Tsuruoka 2006). Figure 5: Broadband Adoption Growth Trend - Home Users (US) As of June 2006, 89.84% of US workers use broadband, up 0.32 percentage points from the 89.52% share in May.
At work 10.16% connect at 56Kbps or less (see Figure 6). Figure 6: Web Connection Speed Trends - Work Users (US) *Note that Nielsen//NetRatings NetSpeed report determines the connection speeds of the Digital Media Universe, which combines Web traffic, Internet applications and proprietary channels.
Top 10 Broadband Countries by Subscribers 2005-2006
Source: Point Topic
Worldwide Broadband Penetration Trends
Top 20 Broadband Countries by Household Penetration 2005-2006
Source: Point Topic
Top 20 Broadband Countries by Household Penetration 2005-2006
Source: Point Topic
Home Connectivity in the US
Web Connection Speed Trends - Home Users (US)
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings
Broadband Growth Trends in the US
Broadband Adoption Growth Trend - Home Users (US)
Extrapolated from Nielsen//NetRatings data
Work Connectivity
Web Connection Speed Trends - Work Users (US)
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings
Further Reading
By website optimization on 19 Jul 2006 AM
It would be interesting and information if you related it to land mass of the countries listed.
By: thomas at July 19, 2006 7:36 PM
What, the US is not the most wired country in the planet?? No surprise there. This goes to anyone who wonders why the US is usually the last in the developed markets to get cutting edge cellphone models too.
By: south korea at September 27, 2006 5:05 AM
The facts keep reaffirming that the US is falling further and further behind. This is not going to fix itself. Other countries passed us on broadband deployment and speed because they have public policy to make sure high speed networks were built, were made available to all citizens and were affordable. The Speed Matters Campaign, see http://www.speedmatters.org has published a policy report that has a both information on the problems of our current broadband policy and concrete proposals for change. The first thing it calls for is for the FCC to redefine what it describes as high speed from the ridiculously low 200 kbps and then for a "broadband map of America" so we have an accurate place to start.
By: Laura Unger at April 25, 2007 9:04 AM
Interesting -- that speedmatters.org web site is copyright the Communication Workers Union (AFL-CIO). They wouldn't have any interest in getting the government to spend money on providing telecommunication, would they?
Rather than land mass, compare population density: South Korea (493 people per square kilometer); Israel (308); Singapore (6482!); UK (250); Germany (236).
The US? 32.28 people per square kilometer.
By: Tom at July 24, 2007 2:41 AM
These statistics don't bother me at all. Broadband isn't the latest and greatest. Add WiFi and Internet-Cellular access and then show me the numbers.
I'm also not surprised at the penetration rate in EU countries... there's been such a governmental stranglehold on utilities such as phone that broadband is a goldmine there compared to the US.
It's all a matter of perspective....
By: PamC at October 23, 2007 3:00 PM
"It would be interesting and informative if you related it to land mass of the countries listed."
Why? That may indicate how difficult broadband is to make accessible, but this isn't a competition about diffilculties, all that matters is the final result. Regardless, America can't use this as an excuse since we're still being beaten by Canada.
"Rather than land mass, compare population density"
This is at least a useful measure... though Canada once again looks like it would be beating us.
"Add WiFi and Internet-Cellular access and then show me the numbers."
In which case, India probably takes the lead... or some African country you've never heard of. Third world and developing countries are putting huge work into their communications infrastructures, but with modern technology this doesn't mean landlines, it means cell & wifi coverage.
The majority of the people born in the world today won't use a landline in their life... they'll use wireless connections for everything.
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