New Pike & Fischer Analysis Shows Broadband Values Around the World

SILVER SPRING, MD -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 05/30/06 -- American consumers get some of the slowest broadband speeds in the world, a telecommunications consulting firm has concluded after analyzing broadband speeds and prices worldwide.

Pike & Fischer found that Hong Kong consumers get the best value in the world, including one package that delivers 100 megabytes per second (Mbps) for about $31 per month. Verizon, by comparison, offers much slower service (30 Mbps) for double that price.

The Pike & Fischer study, entitled "Market Brief: Global Comparison of Residential Broadband Speeds and Prices," looked at broadband service offerings in 14 countries and regions.

After Hong Kong, consumers in Japan, South Korea and Sweden get the fastest speeds for their money compared with consumers in the rest of the world, P&F found. A table in the study shows, by provider and country, broadband speeds downstream, upstream, and by mode and price.

One ironic conclusion of the study: While Iceland has the greatest residential broadband penetration in the world, its consumers get the slowest broadband speeds for their money, paying up to $84 for about 12 Mbps service.

The report is priced at $279. For additional information about P&F's broadband reports and analyses, see www.broadbandadvisoryservices.com.

About the company: Pike & Fischer, a BNA company, publishes a wide variety of reports and periodicals, and offers consulting services, all for the telecommunications industry.

To schedule a briefing about this report, please contact: Scott Sleek, Director, Pike & Fischer Broadband Advisory Services, at ssleek@pf.com, 301-562-1530 x 291.