Global Broadband Growth Rising, U.S. Growth Slows [UPDATED]

The penetration of broadband in U.S. households has steadily increased over the past few years, but now the growth is slowing according to a report published at WebSiteOptimization. Broadband growth in the developed countries is fastest in Europe.

From September to October 2006, the U.S. growth was only 0.27% compared to a historical 1.16% per month. Of importance to U.S. companies seeking to exploit broadband technologies, such as IPTV, the U.S. broadband penetration of 80% is now predicted for January 2007 and 90% for sometime late in 2007.

In addition, the UK has passed Japan in broadband penetration, the greatest net increase in broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants is in Denmark, Australia, the Netherlands, and Finland. While the U.S. still leads the world, percentage wise, with 31% of all broadband connections, the U.S. ranks 17th in net increase per 100 inhabitants.

Broadband penetration correlates well with GDP per capita as opposed to population density. For example, with a GDP per capita of about US$40K the U.S. has 20 subscribers per 100 inhabitants while Greece with a GDP per capita of about US$6K has about 3 per hundred inhabitants.

In the workplace, almost 92% of workers have broadband. The growth of 0.29% is similar to U.S. households.

[This article was updated with additional information. - Editor]