The online French economy is growing at an impressive rate, with the country at the forefront of many internet trends and enjoying one of the most competitive market places.
According to a new report from eMarketer, over the past three years French internet users have overwhelmingly switched to broadband and are increasingly subscribing to telephone and television services via their ISPs.
Commenting on the market, James Belcher, senior analyst and author of the new France Online report said: “A bit over half of the country is online, but more than 75% of those users have broadband access.”
He continued: “Competition to provide French consumers with internet access and internet-based phone, TV and even wireless services is transforming the market. These wholesale shifts to new technologies in France make what is happening in the US look like baby steps.”
The recent OgilvyOne Report also pinpoints the competitive nature of the French market, forecasting total online household penetration in Western Europe to reach 63% by 2010 (see Europe Pushes Broadband Uptake Forward).
Turning back to France, eMarketer estimates that broadband penetration will reach 51.8% in 2008, up from 32.8% in 2005. Online advertising expenditure is also expected to enjoy solid growth, hitting $282 million in 2008, from $203 million in 2002.
Belcher said: “Currently, though the French spend more time on the internet than with any other leisure media with the exception of television, internet ad spending in France is sixth behind not only television but several forms of reading as well – the media type on which French people spend the least amount of time.”
Earlier this year, the UK overtook France as the largest broadband country in Europe, with the latest estimates from Point Topic suggesting that the UK had 9.8 million broadband lines by New Year’s Day 2006 compared to France with 9.7 million (see UK Overtakes France As Largest European Broadband Country).
Related Links
