Over 50 million Europeans sign up to broadband
5 December 2004
Europe's broadband users topped 100 million in October, boosted by a surge in broadband subscriptions over the past 12 months.
By October of this year, 54.5 million Europeans were connected to broadband, up 60 per cent from 34.1 million the previous year, according to market research group Nielsen/NetRatings.
The largest increases were in Italy (120 per cent) and Britain (nearly 100 per cent). The report by found that the number of people with fast internet access in Europe had risen by 60 per cent over the past year.
The total number of Internet users in Europe increased by 12 per cent to 100 million in the 12 months to October, with many first-time subscribers opting to connect to faster digital subscriber line (DSL) or cable TV broadband lines.
Nielson pointed out that the growth in faster connections means websites will need to offer more video and music to keep attracting consumers.
"Twelve months ago high speed internet users made up just over one third of the audience in Europe; now they are more than 50 per cent and we expect this number to keep growing," said Gabrielle Prior, Nielsen/NetRatings analyst.
Analysts Jupiter Research claim that the popularity of the internet has meant that many people are turning away from TV.
A survey by the company found that a quarter of web users said they spent less time watching TV in favour of the net. In homes with broadband, 40 per cent said they were spending less time watching TV.
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