Broadband And Digital TV Will Dominate In 2002

The number of UK households with broadband access will treble during 2002 and by the end of the year 50% of British homes will have access to digital TV, according to Jupiter MMXI.

The latest predictions from the internet research and analysis company suggest that in 2002 the internet market will be dominated by developments in broadband access and digital TV.

The number of broadband households in Europe is forecast to treble next year and the UK and Italy are expected to see the most growth in the number of households with broadband access. Belgium and Sweden will continue to lead the way with the highest proportion of homes in Europe with broadband connections, at 12% and 18% respectively.

According to Jupiter, the uptake of digital TV will increase throughout Europe next year, but will be slow to take off in Spain and Italy where less than 20% of homes are predicted to have digital TV by the end of 2002.

Data analyst at Jupiter, Mark Mulligan, said: “Following a difficult year for the internet economy, when companies went out of business and others consolidated, the key word became profit. In 2002 we expect to see technology playing an important part in the development of the market, as well as a continued increase in the numbers of consumers going onto the internet.”

Jupiter also predicts that broadband uptake in Europe won’t reach “critical mass” until 2006 and forecasts that in 2002 revenues from interactive services on TV will remain significantly lower than those from the internet.

Jupiter MMXI: 020 7563 1600 www.jupitermmxi.com

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