At current growth rates, broadband penetration among active Internet users should break 90% by mid-2008 in the U.S. Overall, broadband penetration is 57% in U.S. households, according to a recent Leichtman Research survey. In a related study by Connected Nation, the U.S. could realize an economic impact of $134 billion annually by accelerating broadband availability across all states.
Home Connectivity in the US
US broadband penetration grew to 87.49% in January 2008. Narrowband users connecting at 56Kbps or less now make up 12.51% of active Internet users, down 0.70 percentage points from 13.21% in December 2007 (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Web Connection Speed Trends – Home Users (US)
Source: Nielsen Online
Broadband Growth Trends in the US
In January 2008, broadband penetration in US homes grew 0.7 percentage points to 87.49% up from 86.79% in December. This increase of 0.7 points is above the average increase in broadband of 0.59 points per month over the last six months (see Figure 2). At current growth rates, broadband penetration among active Internet users will break 90 percent by May 2008. For all households, a recent Leichtman research survey found broadband penetration to be 57% for the U.S.
Figure 2. Broadband Adoption Growth Trend – Home Users (US)
Extrapolated from Nielsen Online data
Work Connectivity
As of January 2008, 95.16% of US workers connected to the Internet with broadband, up 0.17 percentage points from the 94.99% share in December. At work 4.84% connect at 56Kbps or less (see Figure 3).
Figure 3: Web Connection Speed Trends – Work Users (US)
Source: Nielsen Online
Further Reading
- The Economic Impact of Stimulating Broadband Nationally
- The U.S. could realize an economic impact of $134 billion annually with 2.4 million new jobs by accelerating broadband availability and use across all states, according to a study by Connection Nation. Feb. 21, 2008.
- Leichtman Research
- Provided the overall US broadband penetration data.
- Nielsen Online
- Provided the US broadband penetration data for active Internet users for the Bandwidth Report.
- Study: More U.S. broadband has $134 billion economic impact
- A study by Connected Nation says that just a 7 percent increase in U.S. broadband adoption could create as many as 2.4 million jobs and add $134 billion to the economy.