US broadband reaches critical mass

Over half of online US households are using broadband to access the internet, according to new research.

A study conducted by Nielsen//NetRatings found that the number of US domestic broadband connections crossed the 50 per cent mark during July 2004.

The research found that 51 per cent of US households now have broadband, as compared to only 38 per cent in July 2003.

Around 63 million US web users connected to the internet via broadband during July 2004, while 61.3 million accessed the internet through narrowband.

"Despite a plateau in the growth of US internet access, we've seen continued high double-digit growth in users' broadband access," said Marc Ryan, senior director and analyst at Nielsen//NetRatings, in a statement.

"We expect to see this aggressive growth rate continue through next year, when the majority of internet users will be accessing the internet via a broadband connection."

The 18 to 20 age group possessed the highest proportion of broadband surfers, at 59 per cent, followed by children at 58 per cent, 25 to 34 year olds at 55 per cent, and teens and 21 to 24-year-olds both at 53 per cent.

"Not surprisingly, the younger set of adults, kids and teens, who grew up with PC technology, have the highest penetration of broadband access," commented Ryan.

"The norm of waiting for a page to load has gone by the wayside through increased broadband access. With high-speed access in the majority, we're likely to see the richer, more interactive content becoming the standard."