European broadband users are twice as likely to use illegal file-sharing services than dial-up users, according to a new report from Jupiter Media.
The study found that 39% of broadband users across Europe use their high speed connection for swapping files, compared to only 18% of narrowband users. This is not surprising given the time it takes to download files using a dial-up internet service. More significant is the fact that 44% of those surveyed said that they would not be willing to pay for online music.
There remains some debate over the impact of streaming media on the music business. A report from PricewaterhouseCoopers drew a direct correlation between the increase in illegal downloading and falling CD sales (see Fall In US Music Sales Blamed On Internet Downloaders) but Forrester refutes such evidence claiming that there are more obvious reasons for the the malaise in the music industry (see Digital The Way Ahead For Music Business, Says Forrester).
