[UK]
The total number of active internet connections in Belgium (2 088 300) registers a growth of 1% in the second quarter of 2005. Despite a growing range of cheaper offers by the Belgian Internet Providers, growth of broadband remains limited (+3%). The last second quarter of 2005 confirmed the slow growth of the Belgian Internet market. Overall growth of the number of connections was of 1%, keeping the total number of connections just over 2 million.
On the residential market, the total number of connections increased with 1.8% to a total of 1.65M. The increase in broadband connections was the only positive element with a growth of 3%, bringing broadband to 82% of residential connections.
On the business market, the overall growth was of 2% (to 398.000) connections. This growth came only from the broadband connections (+5.4%), while the number of other types of connections continues to decrease. In the business market broadband now takes up 94% of all connections.
A problem for further internet growth in Belgium still remains the low PC penetration in the households. The latest initiative from the Federal government and the ICT sector to offer packages which are fiscally deductible is expected to narrow the ‘digital divide’ gap. The ISPA members look forward to constructively discuss the details of the proposals in order to assure that goal is reached.
Other positive signs that are expected to boost the Internet growth again are new upcoming technologies for mobile access like Wimax and UMTS.
The recent announcements of triple play (Telephony, Internet and Television) providers have not shown a visible uplift of Internet users yet, as these are mostly existing users. ISPA will carefully follow up this evolution.
