US Poised for Broadband Explosion, Says Gartner

Sure, the US has fallen behind on broadband penetration as you've read many times elsewhere -- but research firm Gartner predicts that will change in the next four years. In 2012, 77 percent of all American households will be accessing the Internet via broadband, compared to 54 percent last year, says a new Gartner report. Gartner's analysts have put together a list of 17 countries that all will have penetration levels that exceed 60 percent in 2012. Last year, 11 countries on that list where ahead of the U.S., but in four years, only South Korea, the Netherlands, Hong Kong and Canada will lead it in household broadband penetration. The US will share fifth place with Japan, which will see equally impressive growth. Key to the large growth in the U.S. will be a combination of lower prices and increased interest as customers currently on dial-up move to broadband.