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Two of Five Americans Have Broadband at Home

October 3, 2005
The move among home computers to high-speed Internet connections is -- well -- speeding up.

Broadband Access • Critics: FCC Inaction Slows Economic Development • Few Are Neutral in Net Neutrality Battles • Google Petitions FCC Over Verizon's Use of Wireless Spectrum • House Committee Grills FCC Over Wireless Auction • FCC's Martin: No Opening Of Wireless Networks • FCC Releases Broadband Report, Admits Data is Faulty • Verizon Wins Wireless Spectrum Auction • Bush Declares Broadband 'Connection Accomplished' • Google Will Bid In Wireless Spectrum Auction • Verizon Agrees to Stop 'Unlimited' Claims • Google Challenges Verizon Over Lobbying Of FCC • Sen. Kerry Wants New Broadband Policy • Verizon Wireless Challenges Spectrum Auction Rules • FCC Passes Compromise Rules For Wireless Spectrum Auction • Google, AT&T Square Off Over Wireless Broadband • Senate Wants Better Data On Broadband Deployment • FCC Takes a Closer Look at Broadband Deployment • Groups Urge FCC To Create Wireless Broadband Competition • FCC Chair Grilled By Congress Over Favorable Treatment of AT&T, Verizon • FCC Rolls Out New Rules On Video Franchising • FCC Approves AT&T-BellSouth Merger • AT&T Offers Net Neutrality Concessions To Win Merger Approval • FCC Plays Santa for AT&T, Verizon • Consumers Sidelined as Broadband Battles Rage • Wireless Broadband Still Expensive, Service Still Spotty • High-Speed Internet Overtakes Dial-Up in Market Share • U.S. Still Lags In Broadband Access • Municipal Wi-Fi: The Internet's Next Step? • Verizon Limits Its "Unlimited" Wireless Broadband Service • California Bill Seeks to Jumpstart Cable Competition • GAO: Broadband Access Difficult To Measure • Congress Wrestles with Net Neutrality --- More ...

According to Nielsen/NetRatings, the number of Americans with broadband access reached 42 percent of the U.S. population in August, increasing 16 percent since the beginning of this year. In January 2005, 103.8 million Americans had broadband access; by August, that figure had grown to 120.8 million.

“Although broadband penetration among Internet users has long been on the rise, it was always amid speculation that the high cost of broadband would limit its widespread adoption," said Charles Buchwalter, vice president of client analytics, Nielsen//NetRatings for the Internet media and market research firm.

“However, over the last year, carriers have responded to the growing demand for lower cost broadband, and all indications are that this trend will continue."

Nielsen//NetRatings also reported that in August 2005, the percent of active U.S. Internet users (anyone who went online or downloaded an Internet application during the month) connecting online via broadband from home reached an all-time high, at 61.3 percent, compared with 51.4 percent of active Internet users in August last year.

In August 2005, there were 86.1 million Internet users accessing the Web through high-speed connections, marking a 34 percent gain over 64.1 million during August 2004.

In contrast, fewer Internet surfers are using a narrowband connection to go online. Among at-home Internet users, those using a narrowband connection have decreased by 10 percent since August last year, from 60.6 million to 54.3 million in August 2005.

Currently, 38.7 percent of active Internet users continue to rely on a narrowband connection, compared with 48.6 percent in August 2004.

“This continuing increase in broadband use is an essential step in a maturing Internet industry,” said Buchwalter. “Compared with their narrowband counterparts, broadband users spend more time and money online because their surfing experience is faster, more persistent, and ultimately, more satisfying. This is good news for consumers, publishers and advertisers alike,” he continued.

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