Mexico Tops in Broadband Growth - Switzerland Leads World in Broadband Penetration - DSL Dominates High Penetration Countries - August 2013 Bandwidth Report

Summary: Mexico was tops in broadband penetration growth in a recent survey. Switzerland topped all countries in broadband penetration with 43.4% penetration per 100 inhabitants. Meanwhile the US remained stuck in 15th place in broadband penetration, relying mainly on cable subscribers while the top countries had 57.3% DSL subscribers.

Mexico led the world in broadband growth in the last quarter of 2012. Overall, Switzerland topped all countries in broadband penetration. The US remained stuck in 15th place in broadband penetration, according to a recent survey. DSL dominates the countries with high broadband penetration, while the US relies more on cable modems for most of their broadband subscribers.

Mexico Tops in Broadband Penetration Growth

Mexico topped the charts in broadband growth in the last quarter of 2012. Mexico's fixed broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants grew at 5.2% from June to December 2012 (see Figure 1). Mexico was followed by Greece at 4.9% growth, Poland at 4.5%, the Slovak Republic at 3.9% and Portugal at 3.9%. The US fell to 16th place at 1.5% growth, just above the OECD average.

Growth in broadband penetration in last quarter of 2012

Figure 1: Growth in broadband penetration in last quarter of 2012 (through December 2012)
Source: OECD.org

Switzerland Leads Broadband Penetration Worldwide

Switzerland led all countries surveyed with 43.4% of the population on broadband (see Figure 2). The Netherlands followed at 39.7%, Denmark at 38.8%, Korea at 36.5%, and Frace at 36.4%. The US remained in 15th place at 28.8% fixed broadband penetration.

broadband penetration versus GDP per capita by country

Figure 2: Broadband penetration versus GDP per capita by country - December 2012
Source: OECD.org

Switzerland passed the Netherlands in Q4 2010 and hasn't looked back since (see Figure 3).

broadband penetration versus GDP per capita by country

Figure 3: Broadband penetration historical
Source: OECD.org

DSL Dominates High Penetration Countries

Many of the countries highest in broadband penetration have a high percentage of their subscribers on DSL (see Figure 4). The top five countries averaged 57.3% DSL subscribers. The US on the other hand had more of its subscribers on cable modems (57.3% cable subscribers) versus DSL (34.3% of subscribers on DSL).

broadband subscribers and technology by country

Figure 4: Broadband subscribers and technology by country
Source: OECD.org

OECD.org: The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) provided the fourth quarter 2012 results of their broadband survey to the Bandwidth Report.
USA Passes Japan in Wireless Broadband Among G7 - Finland Tops in Wireless Broadband Penetration Worldwide - July 2013 Bandwidth Report: For the mobile results of this survey, see this article. The United States passed Japan in wireless broadband penetration for the first time in the fourth quarter of 2012, in a recent survey. Finland tops all countries in wireless broadband with 106% penetration.

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