Broadband Access in Europe

The recently published EU report on the broadband access in the member states provides a good overview on the state of the art of the developing information society in Europe. The Communications Committee observes an annual  growth of the broadband penetration rate by 2,3 % for all 27 member states, remarking a certain slow down in 2008/2009 because of the ubiquotous economic crisis.

While  Scandinavian and Benelux countries occupy the top places of the broadband penetration rate chart (30- 37%), most East European Countries rank backwards with newly joined Romania and Bulgaria taking the last 2 places with respectively  12,3% and 11,9%. A digital divide worth to think about, especially in the context of the Lisabon strategy.