OECD releases updated broadband figures, Canada remains in top 10

Statistics released this week by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) show that Canada remains in the top 10 for overall broadband subscriptions and penetration among OECD countries. The figures are as of June 2008.Canada ranks eighth overall for total broadband subscribers at 9.2 million and tenth for broadband penetration per 100 inhabitants with 27.9%. Its penetration rate puts the country at the top of the G7 nations, ahead of the United Kingdom and France. The United States ranks fifth with a penetration rate of 25% among G7 countries.The OECD statistics come less than two weeks after the federal election, which saw the Conservative Party of Canada win another minority government. Broadband gained some spotlight during the election campaign with the all the parties committing, in varying degrees, to extend broadband to additional rural and remote communities in the country.Despite a broadband reach that was the envy of many nations - Canada was second only to Korea five years ago and six years ago was among only two countries to have double digit broadband penetration - many other OECD countries have caught up. This has prompted calls from industry and other stakeholders for a renewed government effort to finish the job.Some suggest the way the OECD measure broadband isn't a true indication of where Canada stands, but it's hard to deny that the country has slipped compared to other countries with similar geography and population density. Based on the OECD numbers, Canada hasn't faired well against Australia for example. Five years ago, Canada had a penetration of 13.1% compared to 2.6% for Australia. The most recent figures show Canada at 27.9% and Australia at 23.5%.But as Canada's growth slowed in the last number of years, so has Korea's. Broadband penetration in Korea has increased less than 10% in the last five years. The one-time leaders in broadband have been surpassed by the five Nordic countries as well as the Netherlands.Penetration Rates for Select OECD Countries, 2003-2008 Q2-03Q4-03Q2-04Q4-04Q2-05Q4-05Australia2.63.55.27.710.713.6Canada13.115.116.417.619.020.7Korea22.924.224.224.825.525.3UK3.75.47.410.413.316.3US7.99.510.912.714.216.2 Q2-06Q4-06Q2-07Q4-07Q2-08Australia16.918.922.222.823.6Canada21.923.624.726.327.9Korea26.429.129.930.531.2UK19.221.423.725.827.6US17.920.321.923.625.0

OECD releases updated broadband figures, Canada remains in top 10

News | October 24, 2008

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