San Diego Has The Fastest Web Users in the West comScore Networks most recent analysis of the broadband markets revealed that San Diego has become the first metropolitan market in which
a majority of Internet users connected to the Web through a broadband connection rather than a narrowband service.
At the national level, 36 percent of online users accessed the Web through a
high-speed connection in the fourth quarter of 2003, up 2 points from 34 percent in the third quarter. Comcast provides access to approximately 19 percent of broadband users and 7 percent of all
online users. SBC accounts for 11 percent of consumer broadband connections and 6 percent of total ISP subscriptions. AOL continues to supply Internet access (narrowband and broadband) to more
Americans than any other provider, with a 28 percent share.
Internet Service Provider (ISP) Market Share U.S. Consumer ISP Subscriptions Q4 2003
| | | Market Share |
| | Total
U.S. | 100% |
| 1 | AOL (America Online) | 28% |
| 2 | Comcast | 7% |
| 3 | United Online | 6% |
| 4 | Microsoft
Corp. | 6% |
| 5 | SBC | 6% |
| 6 | Earthlink | 5% |
| 7 | Road Runner | 4% |
| 8 | BellSouth | 3%
|
| 9 | Verizon | 3% |
| 10 | Cox Communications | 2% |
| | All Other | 30% |
Source: comScore Networks
"In the past several months, we've seen the U.S.
online population reach 150 million people and household broadband penetration cross the 33 percent threshold," said Russ Fradin, executive vice president of comScore Networks. "Now we've recorded
another milestone, with broadband accounting for more than half of a major U.S. market's Internet connections."
Connection Type by Market Top 50 Local Markets Q4 2003
Top 10
Broadband Markets
| | Broadband | Narrowband |
| San Diego | 52% | 48% |
| Boston | 50% | 50% |
| New York | 49% | 51% |
| Providence, RI | 47% | 53% |
| Kansas City | 46% | 54% |
| Detroit | 45% | 55% |
| Tampa-St. Pete | 45% | 55% |
| Orlando | 44% | 56% |
| San Fran-Oak-SJ | 44% | 56% |
| Los Angeles | 44% | 56% |
Source:
comScore Networks
Top 10 Narrowband Markets
| | Narrowband | Broadband |
| Albuquerque-Santa Fe | 76% | 24% |
| Grand Rapids | 70% | 30% |
| Harrisburg, PA | 70% | 30% |
| Indianapolis | 70% | 30% |
| Sacramento-Stockton | 69% | 31% |
| Birmingham | 68% | 32%
|
| Nashville | 68% | 32% |
| Louisville | 67% | 33% |
| Memphis | 66% | 34% |
| St. Louis | 66%
| 34% |
Source: comScore Networks
At a national level, 63 percent of broadband subscriptions are cable connections, while DSL subscriptions
account for approximately 37 percent of the high-speed market.
"comScore's survey research reveals a substantial number of people on the verge of switching their ISP, indicating that a
significant number of consumers are benefiting from intense competition among incumbent phone and cable providers, as well as newer market entrants," continued Mr. Fradin. "It's clear that increased
promotional activity and lower prices introduced by these competitors are fueling the momentum of broadband growth, particularly in larger markets."
The release is available in PDF format.