Two out of every five Americans now have broadband Internet access at home, according to a new study released by Nielsen/NetRatings. The firm said that 120.8 million people, or 42 percent of the U.S. population, had high-speed connections in August, up from 103.8 million in January.
"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, the vice president of client analytics for Nielsen/NetRatings. "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."
By contrast, fewer Internet surfers are using dial-up connections. 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.
"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, the vice president of client analytics for Nielsen/NetRatings. "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."
By contrast, fewer Internet surfers are using dial-up connections. 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.