HL Deb 19 November 2003 vol 654 cc312-3WA
The Earl of Northesk

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How growth in the number of Internet-enabled households subscribing to Internet services offering speeds of 512 kbps and above in the United Kingdom currently compares with other European Union and G7 countries; and how it is projected to compare in 2005. [HL5562]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The Government hold neither current nor projected comparative data about growth in the number of Internet-enabled house subscribers offering speeds of 512 kbps and above either in the United Kingdom or in other European Union and G7 countries.

Data in the following table indicate the total number of subscribers for mass-market broadband services (which includes services at lower speeds) at September 2003 and the growth rate in the previous 12 months for a number of countries including the G7 and selected EU countries.

Total broadband lines 12 month growth rate
Canada 4,307,334 47%
France 2,865,667 227%
Germany 4,315,926 49%
Ireland 20,045 925%
Italy 2,052,776 104%
Japan 12,654,218 118%
Sweden 878,997 16%
UK 2,628,497 189%
USA 24,634,071 86%

Total mass market broadband lines September 2003

[Source: Analysys]