Broadband Storms Ahead in USA

According to the latest Nielsen//NetRatings data, broadband usage out-paced narrowband usage for the first time in January in the USA, as broadband surfers logged 1.19 billion hours, accounting for 51% of the 2.3 billion hours spent online during the month. By comparison, broadband users spent 727 million hours online in January 2001, accounting for 38% of the total time spent online.

Total time spent online by broadband surfers skyrocketed 64% year-over-year to 1.19 billion hours, while time spent online by narrowband surfers decreased three percent from 1.18 billion hours to 1.14 billion.

'Broadband usage has hit mainstream, with time spent online by broadband surfers surpassing the critical 50 percent benchmark,' said Jarvis Mak, senior Internet media analyst, NetRatings.

As with time spent online by broadband surfers, the unique audience accessing the Internet via high speed connections also continues to post significant gains year-over-year at-home and at-work. Nearly 21.9 million surfers at-home accessed the Internet via broadband connection in January, skyrocketing 67% and accounting for 21% of the total online population at-home.

During the same time period, the at-work broadband population jumped 42% to 25.5 million office workers, as compared to 18 million the year prior, reaching 63% of the Internet office population.

'Broadband surfers spend as much time online as narrowband surfers and also comprise a growing proportion of the overall online population. Increasingly, online business models will be built and marketed with the broadband surfer in mind,' continued Mak. 'The growth and development of broadband will create a more interactive and robust online experience, impacting ecommerce, streaming media and overall Internet content.'

All articles 2006-22 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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