Networked Broadband Households to Top 160 Million & Network-Connected Devices to Approach 1 Billion by 2010 -- According to new research from The Diffusion Group, global home network adoption is expected to grow from 35 million in 2004 to more than 162 million in 2010. This growth will be fueled in large part by broadband service providers who are beginning to push combined modem/networking solutions known as residential gateways (RGWs) into the homes of new broadband subscribers. TDG also forecasts that the number of network-connected devices will grow from 108 million in 2004 to just under 1 billion by 2010, growing from an average of approximately three networked devices per household in 2004 to approximately six devices by 2010. Despite the relatively tepid pace of global network adoption, home network penetration is nonetheless expected to reach millions of homes in Asia, Europe, and North America via service provider push strategies. Such push strategies will help drive significant network penetration in a number of countries.
The personal computing device market continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience despite recent fluctuations. According to the latest worldwide market study by International Data Corporation (IDC), global PC shipments are projected to reach 273 million units in 2025—a modest but significant 3.7 percent increase over the previous year. This growth reflects the market's adaptation to post-pandemic realities and evolving technology needs across the globe. Personal Computing Market Development While COVID-19 initially triggered unprecedented demand for computing devices during the shift to remote work and online education, we now see a more measured growth pattern. IDC has slightly adjusted its projections downward, indicating a market growing steadily rather than explosively. "In light of so many challenges around the world, Japan is a much-needed source of double-digit growth this year. Enterprises there as well as SMBs have been quickly replacing PCs in advance of the Window...