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 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.
Figure 1: Growth in broadband penetration in last quarter of 2012 (through December 2012)
Source: OECD.org
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.
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).
Figure 3: Broadband penetration historical
Source: OECD.org
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).
Figure 4: Broadband subscribers and technology by country
Source: OECD.org
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