Gartner: quarter of homes worldwide will have broadband by 2012

By 2012 a quarter of households worldwide will have a broadband connection, according to Gartner.

The number of connections will grow from 323 million last year to 499 million by 2012 which is a jump from 18 to 25 per cent of worldwide households, the analysts predict.

Canada, Holland, Switzerland, South Korea and Hong Kong are the only countries with 60 per cent home broadband penetration currently and these countries are expected to remain leaders by 2012, although countries like the UK and the USA will be moving closer by then.

The UK currently has 58 per cent penetration, with 74 per cent expected to be reached by 2012.

"Depending on the specific market conditions, availability of internet-enabled devices and the continued impact of broadband on consumer lifestyles, we expect some markets will have a broadband ceiling at 80 per cent penetration or greater," said principal research analyst, Amanda Sabia.

The high penetration in the countries which scored over 60 per cent was put down to the fact that they were either small, dense countries or had government investment in broadband.

These factors were expected to help them maintain their lead.