Service availability is no longer a major impediment to the growth of broadband in the US but the majority of internet users are yet to be convinced of the merits of switching to high-speed services.
A new survey from
InStat/MDR has revealed that less than one in ten dial-up internet subscribers are unable to access broadband in their area.
The report, Strategies and Services for Growing Broadband Subscribers found that 42% of US narrowband users saw no need to upgrade while just under a third regarded high-speed services as too expensive. The report warns ISPs that they need to offer consumers more than just faster surfing if they are to attract a substantial number of subscribers.
The study also suggests that many users would be willing to give up some of the features normally found with broadband, including ISP supplied email, content and personal web space if they were offered a lower priced service.
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), there were 16.2 million high-speed internet lines in the US at the end of June 2002. This represented an increase of more than 25% year on year but In-Stat/MDR claims that broadband will not achieve widespread popularity until it is available on electronic devices as well as PCs.
