The rise of home networking in Europe

What triggered such impressive gains in home network adoption in Europe? The answer is in the patterns of growth. The number of households gaining a home network between 2004 and 2006 far exceeded the number stating an intention to do so at the beginning of 2005. This pattern held true across the world.

16 Jan 2008

At the end of 2004, it appeared the home networking phenomenon was bypassing Europe. Penetration rates were far behind North America and Asia, and only a few households (less than 5 percent) were interested in a home network. Broadband adoption was likewise lackluster. In many of Europe's leading markets, just one-fifth of all households had high-speed access, and without broadband, home networks are of limited utility.

Today we see a different picture. Between 2004 and 2006, home network adoption boomed across Europe, with growth rates surpassing Asia and North America. France and the UK both trebled the number of households with a home network, putting them slightly ahead of the U.S. Italy and Germany still lagged behind but posted notable growth nonetheless.

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