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Ireland ranked 5th in broadband growth
Ireland had the fifth-highest broadband growth rate among EU and OECD countries in 2006, according the latest OECD broadband statistics.
The strongest per-capita subscriber growth came from Denmark, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway and Ireland, where each state was estimated to have added more than 5.8 subscribers per 100 inhabitants.
But Ireland was still only ranked 23rd out of 30 in terms of overall broadband penetration, with a subscription rate of 12.5 per cent.
Denmark and the Netherlands - the first two countries in the OECD to surpass 30 subscribers per 100 inhabitants - lead the way with penetration rates of 31.9 and 31.8 per cent respectively.
IrelandOffline, a pressure group campaigning for increased broadband penetration, welcomed the statistics but warned considerably more needs to be done to bring broadband to everyone that wants it.
IrelandOffline chairman Damien Mulley said: "The OECD statistics prove without doubt that there is massive demand for broadband in Ireland and if the 25 per cent of the population who cannot get broadband were offered it in the morning, we'd see Ireland going from 23rd place in the OECD statistics [the same position as last year] to a midpoint and possibly even towards the top of the tables."
Mr Mulley said the Government needed to announce the tenders to supply broadband to the parts of Ireland that remain unconnected.
The OECD statistics showed that over the past year the number of broadband subscribers in the OECD increased 26 per cent from 157 million in December 2005 to 197 million in December 2006.
This growth increased broadband penetration rates in the OECD from 13.5 in December 2005 to 16.9 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants one year later.
© 2007 ireland.com
