Building the Knowledge Society - Department of Communications ...

Building the Knowledge Society Information Society Commission 29Figure 2.2 Broadband Penetration in OECD Countries, June 2001Broadband Subscribers per 100 inhabitants1614121086420KoreaCanadaSwedenUnited StatesDSLCable ModemBroadband Ethernet LANs in Apartment BuildingsFixed WirelessNetherlandsAustriaDenmarkBelgiumIcelandLuxembourgGermanyJapanSwitzerlandFinlandFranceAustraliaPortugalNorwaySpainNew ZealandItalyUnited KingdomCzeck RepublicHungaryPolandMexicoIrelandGreeceSlovak RepublicTurkeySource: OECD2.3\ Internet PenetrationThe best available indication seems to be that around 34 percent of the population currentlyaccesses the Internet from home in Ireland. 22 This level reflects significant growth from below20 percent at the beginning of 2000. However, it also reflects a more recent stagnation ofthis growth, with an increase of only 1 percent over the previous 12 months – as capturedin Figure 2.3.Figure 2.3 Ireland’s Internet Penetration Rate: April 2000 - July 20023530Percentage (%)252015Apr’00 Jul’00 Oct’00Dec’00 Jan’01 Apr’01 Jun’01 Oct’01 Jan’02 Apr’02 Jul’02Source: Nielsen NetRatingsFurther development of the residential Internet penetration market has been inhibitedby the lack of flat-rate Internet access and by the cost of available higher-speed offerings.As of April 2002, this placed us 14th internationally amongst those countries for whichcomparable data was available, with leading countries showing residential Internet penetrationrates of around 60 percent – Figure 2.4.22 ODTR Quarterly Commentary, September 2002 (derived from Nielsen Netratings)