This article contains a sortable list of countries by number of broadband Internet subscriptions and penetration rates, using data compiled by the
International Telecommunication Union
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)In the other common languages of the ITU:
*
* is a list of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for many matters related to information ...
.
List
The list includes figures for both fixed wired broadband subscriptions and mobile cellular subscriptions:
Definitions of World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators, March 2010
, International Telecommunication Union
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)In the other common languages of the ITU:
*
* is a list of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for many matters related to information ...
. Retrieved on 30 September 2011.
* Fixed-broadband access refers to high-speed fixed (wired) access to the public Internet
The Internet (or internet) is the Global network, global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a internetworking, network of networks ...
at downstream speeds equal to, or greater than, 256 kbit/s. This includes satellite Internet access
Satellite Internet access is Internet access provided through communication satellites; if it can sustain high-speed Internet, high speeds, it is termed satellite broadband. Modern consumer grade satellite Internet service is typically provide ...
, cable modem
A cable modem is a type of network bridge that provides bi-directional data communication via radio frequency channels on a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC), radio frequency over glass (RFoG) and coaxial cable infrastructure. Cable modems are pri ...
, DSL
Digital subscriber line (DSL; originally digital subscriber loop) is a family of technologies that are used to transmit digital data over telephone lines. In telecommunications marketing, the term DSL is widely understood to mean asymmetric di ...
, fibre-to-the-home/building, and other fixed (wired) broadband subscriptions. The totals are measured irrespective of the method of payment.
* Mobile-cellular access refers to high-speed mobile access to the public Internet
The Internet (or internet) is the Global network, global system of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to communicate between networks and devices. It is a internetworking, network of networks ...
at advertised data speeds equal to, or greater than, 256 kbit/s. To be counted, a mobile subscription must allow access to the greater Internet via HTTP
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is an application layer protocol in the Internet protocol suite model for distributed, collaborative, hypermedia information systems. HTTP is the foundation of data communication for the World Wide Web, wher ...
and must have been used to make a data connection using the Internet Protocol
The Internet Protocol (IP) is the network layer communications protocol in the Internet protocol suite for relaying datagrams across network boundaries. Its routing function enables internetworking, and essentially establishes the Internet.
IP ...
in the previous three months. SMS
Short Message Service, commonly abbreviated as SMS, is a text messaging service component of most telephone, Internet and mobile device systems. It uses standardized communication protocols that let mobile phones exchange short text messages, t ...
and MMS messaging do not count as an active Internet data connection even if they are delivered via IP.
Penetration rate is the percentage (%) of a country's population that are subscribers. A dash (—) is shown when data for 2012 is not available. Non-country and disputed areas are shown in ''italics''. Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...
is listed as a sovereign country.
Note: Because a single Internet subscription may be shared by many people and a single person my have more than one subscription, the penetration rate will not reflect the actual level of access to broadband Internet of the population and penetration rates larger than 100% are possible.
See also
* List of countries by number of Internet users
Below is a sortable list of countries by number of Internet users as of 2024. Internet users are defined as persons who accessed the Internet in the last 12 months from any device, including mobile phones.the statistics for numbers of Interne ...
* List of countries by number of telephone lines in use
This is a list of countries by number of telephone lines. Data are from the CIA World Factbook unless otherwise specified.
See also
* List of sovereign states by number of broadband Internet subscriptions
* List of countries by number of ...
* List of countries by smartphone penetration
This is a list of countries by smartphone penetration. These numbers are based on the top countries by percentage of population owning a smartphone (so smaller countries are absent) and come from Newzoo's Global Mobile Market Report (the numbers we ...
* List of mobile network operators
For a more comprehensive list of mobile phone operators, see Mobile country codes.
Terrestrial
This is a list of the world's 25 largest terrestrial mobile phone network operators measured by number of subscriptions.
Satellite based
This i ...
* List of multiple-system operators
A multiple-system operator (MSO) is an operator of multiple cable or direct-broadcast satellite television systems. A cable system in the United States, by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) definition, is a facility serving a single commun ...
* List of telecommunications companies
This list identifies the largest telecommunications companies by total revenue. For a more thorough list, see the By region section.
By total revenue
''Note: Numbers of total revenues of most telephone operating companies are sourced from Fo ...
References
External links
"Internet Monitor"
a research project of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society
The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society is a research center at Harvard University that focuses on the study of cyberspace. Founded at Harvard Law School, the center traditionally focused on internet-related legal issues. On May 15, 2008, ...
at Harvard University
Harvard University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the History of the Puritans in North America, Puritan clergyma ...
to evaluate, describe, and summarize the means, mechanisms, and extent of Internet access, content controls and activity around the world.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Countries By Number Of Broadband Internet Users
International telecommunications
Broadband Internet users
Internet-related lists
*
IT infrastructure