Usage Statistics

Broadband access levels are continuing to rise on a worldwide basis in response to the growing number of computer users with access to the internet and improvements in infrastructure. Naturally, well developed countries have the highest usage levels where the infrastructure is more developed and provides easier access. Less developed countries are expected to continue to experience an increase in broadband access statistics as infrastructure continues to evolve. Figures released by the Organization for Economic Co-operations and Development in December of 2006 provide a breakdown of broadband statistics on a worldwide basis. This article examines some of the key findings.

Key Findings From the OECD Report:

The number of broadband users rose 26% from December 2005 to December 2006. The growth in broadband user statistics was most pronounced in the European countries. Denmark, Netherlands, Iceland, Switzerland, Finland, Norway and Sweden experienced strong growth rates. The report used the number of subscribers per 100 in relation to the population base. From this, Denmark and the Netherlands recorded 31 out of every 100 subscribers as being registered for broadband. The breakdown for the other top European countries is as follows: Iceland 29, Switzerland 28, Norway 27, Finland 27, Sweden 26. Other countries such as Japan and Korea have been accelerating subscriber rates, firstly because of the large population base but also due to the presence of fibre based infrastructure.

Global broadband statistics indicate that the US has the largest broadband subscriber base with over 58.1 million subscribers representing 29% of all OECD subscribers. Growth rates are most pronounced in the countries of Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand and Ireland which each added 5.8 subscribers per 100 over the duration of the yearly survey. In terms of broadband penetration, Canada is the standout achiever. The breakdown of broadband user statistics is as follows: DSL 62%, Cable Modem 29%, FTTH/FTTB 7%, Satellite, fixed wireless and powerline communication 2%.

Current trends indicate that broadband penetration will continue to increase in the years to come. Broadband statistics will continue to reflect this. In fact, in some countries, broadband access is becoming an important topic which has become part of the political policy agenda. Countries such as Australia serve as an example of this whereby the political parties are being assessed on the basis of proposed solutions for upgrading the broadband networks. Broadband has become an important part of life as computer systems dominate the way we transact, interact and do business.

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