Survey Shows Broadband Adoption Slowing
ARLINGTON, Va.
Americans have slowed their adoption of high-speed Internet service after several years of high growth rates for broadband technology use, according to a new study.
The study, produced by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, found that high-speed Internet adoption, after growing rapidly in recent years, has begun to taper off, and more sluggish growth is expected in coming years. Results of the study were presented at the Telecommunications Policy Research Conference in Arlington, Va., in late September.
The Pew project reported that during the first six months of 2005, 53 percent of home Internet users said they relied on a broadband connection, a boost from only 50 percent during the previous six months.
According to the Pew statistics, a previous period a year earlier had a higher rate of broadband adoption. From November 2003 to May 2004, high-speed Internet penetration grew by 20 percent, from 35 percent of home users in December 2003 to 42 percent in May 2004.
Pew researchers say the slowdown in broadband penetration marks the maturing of the home user market. Early adopters, believed to be savvy about the Internet, well-educated and well-paid, have already signed up for broadband service.
“A declining pool of the most likely broadband adopters — experienced dial-up Internet users — and few new Internet users coming online suggest slower growth in home broadband than has been the case in the past several years,” the report states.
Entitled “Broadband Adoption in the United States: Growing but Slowing,” the report is available at <www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Broadband.TPRC_Sept05.pdf> .
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