The broadband age is approaching
A pan-European study predicts an explosion in broadband connections
A pan-European study predicts an explosion in broadband connectionsThe proportion of Western European households with a broadband connection (cable modem, Digital Subscriber Line DSL) rose to 1.79 percent in 2000. In 1999 it was still 0.48 percent. This is the conclusion of a study by the market research companies Screen Digest Limited, London (www. screendigest.com), and Van Dusseldorp & Partners, Amsterdam (www.vandusseldorp.com). The study, which was conducted in Switzerland and 14 other European countries, predicts over 18 million broadband connections in 2003. That is 21 percent of European households. At the end of 2000, Switzerland was in the middle of the European field with 30,000 households (around one percent), although it is otherwise well ahead in terms of technological equipment. The 730000 broadband connections forecast for 2003 are also more or less the European average. On the one hand, this is due to the fact that corresponding offers only came onto the market relatively late in Switzerland.
Another reason is probably the widespread use of ISDN connections in Switzerland, which already provide a relatively fast connection at 64 or 128 kilobits per second (Kbps). By comparison, the cheapest broadband offers have a transmission rate of 256 Kbps.
While there are currently still more cable broadband connections in operation, DSL will soon gain the upper hand. For 2003, the study expects 13.3 million DSL subscribers compared to 5.5 million people with cable broadband connections.
Basic prerequisite for
Multimedia Internet
Even in Switzerland, where cable connections dominate the broadband sector, twice as many DSL connections are expected to be in operation by the end of 2003 as cable connections. The pan-European broadband study predicts even less penetration in the private sector for transmission technologies via satellite, WLL, fiber optic cable or electricity.
The distribution of ADSL connections (Assymetric Digital Subscriber Line) in Switzerland could also be supported by the new ADSL technology, which is due to be launched on February 1, 2008.
The price reduction announced by Swisscom for the ADSL broadband service on February 1 will also contribute to this. In addition, Swisscom will expand its ADSL offering from the current seven conurbations to a further 25 cities.
The spread of broadband connections is a basic prerequisite for the widespread use of multimedia content. Although users with analog modems can also watch movies, this is usually in rather modest jerky quality. Thanks to broadband, however, films on the Internet could soon become relevant for a large audience. Clemens Hörler
European households with broadband connections in percent
Another reason is probably the widespread use of ISDN connections in Switzerland, which already provide a relatively fast connection at 64 or 128 kilobits per second (Kbps). By comparison, the cheapest broadband offers have a transmission rate of 256 Kbps.
While there are currently still more cable broadband connections in operation, DSL will soon gain the upper hand. For 2003, the study expects 13.3 million DSL subscribers compared to 5.5 million people with cable broadband connections.
Basic prerequisite for
Multimedia Internet
Even in Switzerland, where cable connections dominate the broadband sector, twice as many DSL connections are expected to be in operation by the end of 2003 as cable connections. The pan-European broadband study predicts even less penetration in the private sector for transmission technologies via satellite, WLL, fiber optic cable or electricity.
The distribution of ADSL connections (Assymetric Digital Subscriber Line) in Switzerland could also be supported by the new ADSL technology, which is due to be launched on February 1, 2008.
The price reduction announced by Swisscom for the ADSL broadband service on February 1 will also contribute to this. In addition, Swisscom will expand its ADSL offering from the current seven conurbations to a further 25 cities.
The spread of broadband connections is a basic prerequisite for the widespread use of multimedia content. Although users with analog modems can also watch movies, this is usually in rather modest jerky quality. Thanks to broadband, however, films on the Internet could soon become relevant for a large audience. Clemens Hörler
European households with broadband connections in percent
1999 0,48
2000 1,79
2003
21 (Forecast)
Source: Screen Digest Limited and Van Dusseldorp & Partners:
"Broadband Landscape Europe"
