For Immediate Release:
NetRatings, Inc. Christine Chan (408) 586-7572
Maria Bumatay (408) 586-7560
BROADBAND NET SURFING ACCOUNTS FOR MORE THAN HALF OF ALL
TIME SPENT ONLINE, ACCORDING TO NIELSEN//NETRATINGS
Broadband Usage Outpaces Narrowband Usage for the First Time
NEW YORK – March 5, 2002 – Nielsen//NetRatings, a leading Internet audience measurement
service, reports that broadband usage out-paced narrowband usage for the first time in January, as
broadband surfers logged 1.19 billion hours, accounting for 51 percent of the 2.3 billion hours spent
online during the month (see Table 1). By comparison, broadband users spent 727 million hours
online in January 2001, accounting for 38 percent of the total time spent online.
Total time spent online by broadband surfers skyrocketed 64 percent year-over-year to 1.19 billion
hours, while time spent online by narrowband surfers decreased three percent from 1.18 billion
hours to 1.14 billion.
“Broadband usage has hit mainstream, with time spent online by broadband surfers surpassing the
critical 50 percent benchmark,” said Jarvis Mak, senior Internet media analyst, NetRatings.
Table 1. Broadband vs. Narrowband Time Spent Online (U.S., Combined Home & Work)
Jan. 2001 Jan. 2002 Percent Change
Broadband Hours Spent Online 727 million 1.19 billion 64%
Narrowband Hours Spent Online 1.18 billion 1.14 billion -3%
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings, January 2002
The Unstoppable March Towards Broadband
As with time spent online by broadband surfers, the unique audience accessing the Internet via
high speed connection also continues to post significant gains year-over-year at-home and at-work.
Nearly 21.9 million surfers at-home accessed the Internet via broadband connection in January,
skyrocketing 67 percent and accounting for 21 percent of the total online population at-home (see
Table 2).
During the same time period, the at-work broadband population jumped 42 percent to 25.5 million
office workers, as compared to 18 million the year prior, reaching 63 percent of the Internet office
population.
“Broadband surfers spend as much time online as narrowband surfers and also comprise a growing
proportion of the overall online population. Increasingly, online business models will be built and
marketed with the broadband surfer in mind,” continued Mak. “The growth and development of
broadband will create a more interactive and robust online experience, impacting ecommerce,
streaming media and overall Internet content.”
Table 2. Broadband Audience vs. Narrowband Audie nce (U.S., Home and U.S., Work)
Jan. 2001 Jan. 2002 Percent Change
Broadband Unique Audience
At-Home
13.1 million 21.9 million 67%
Narrowband Unique Audience
At-Home
87.0 million 82.0 million -6%
Broadband Unique Audience
At-Work
18.0 million 25.5 million 42%
Narrowband Unique Audience
At-Work
19.3 million 15.0 million -23%
Source: Nielsen//NetRatings, January 2002
About Nielsen//NetRatings
Through strategic partnerships between NetRatings (NASDAQ: NTRT), Nielsen Media Research
and ACNielsen, the Nielsen//NetRatings Internet audience measurement service collects real-time data from
individuals with access to the Internet around the world. Nielsen//NetRatings uses unique technology capable of
measuring both Internet use and advertising to provide the most timely, accurate and comprehensive Internet usage
data and advertising information in the global marketplace. For more information, please visit www.nielsennetratings.
com .
Editor’s Note: Please source all data to Nielsen//NetRatings.
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