Broadband subscriptions up 14% in Europe

Denmark, Netherlands, Norway have highest penetration

By Leo Cendrowicz

Oct 29, 2008, 12:12 PM ET

BRUSSELS -- Broadband subscribers in rich nations reached 251 million by June, an increase of 14% from June 2007, according to figures released Wednesday. 

Broadband penetration rates rose to 21.3 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in the 27-nation Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Fiber subscriptions accounted for 9% of the broadband connections, overtaking even DSL/cable in Korea and Japan.

However, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway had the highest broadband penetration rates, each over 30%. And the U.S. was the largest broadband market, with 75 million subscribers.