Broadband Penetration Climbs

RESTON, Va. – San Diego has become the first U.S. metropolitan market where a majority of Internet users are connected to the web through a broadband connection rather a dial-up service, according to a new survey.

ComScore Networks on Thursday also said that among the largest 50 markets, San Diego, Boston and New York led the nation in the usage of broadband connections.

The Reston, Va.-based Internet audience measurement and research company said the fourth quarter of 2003 results indicate that the shift from dial-up to broadband will continue with strong momentum, with more than one in four Internet users reporting that they intend to switch their Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the next six months.

The majority of those users plan to pick a broadband provider as their next ISP. The most commonly cited reason for changing ISPs was the desire for a faster connection.

"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," ComScore Vice President Russ Fradin said. "Now we've recorded another milestone, with broadband accounting for more than half of a major U.S. market's Internet connections."

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.

Philadelphia-based Comcast Cable Communications Inc. holds the dominant position in the broadband market, providing access to approximately 19 percent of broadband users and 7 percent of all online users. San Antonio, Texas-based SBC Communications Inc., the nation's largest DSL provider, accounts for 11 percent of consumer broadband connections and 6 percent of total ISP subscriptions. America Online, a unit of New York-based Time Warner Inc., continues to supply Internet access (dial-up and broadband) to more Americans than any other provider, with a 28 percent share.

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

RocketGate Taps Joël Drapeau for Senior Account Executive Role

Payment processing company RocketGate has hired industry veteran Joël Drapeau as its new account executive for business development and client relations.

VR Reloaded: Inside the Next Era of Immersive Adult Entertainment

For years, virtual reality in adult entertainment hovered somewhere between “quirky novelty” and “exciting promise of things to come.” While the technology hinted at a radically different way to experience erotic media, early experiments often required bulky headsets, complicated downloads, and production techniques that weren’t yet quite up to the task.

Pineapple Support Names Ocean Hanx Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named creator Ocean Hanx as its newest brand ambassador.

Meta Restores Playboy Germany Facebook Page After Court Order

The Facebook page of Playboy Germany, the German-language edition of the magazine, is now back online after a two-month suspension by Meta, following an order by the Düsseldorf Regional Court.

UPDATED: European Commission Unveils AV App, Addresses Hacks

The European Commission’s age verification app is now technically ready and will soon be available for EU citizens to use in order to prove their age when accessing online platforms, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced Tuesday.

Syren De Mer, Eddie Patrick Cap AEBN's Top Stars for 1st Quarter of 2026

AEBN has revealed its most popular performers in straight and gay theaters for the first quarter of 2026.

'iDealgasmPlus' Launches Through PAYSITE

iDealgasmPlus.com has officially launched through PAYSITE.

Canadian Senate Approves National Age Verification Bill

Canada’s Senate on Wednesday passed bill S-209, the “Protecting Young Persons from Exposure to Pornography Act,” which would require commercial adult websites to verify that Canadian users are at least 18 years old.

Sara Jay Relaunches Site Through PAYSITE

Sara Jay has relaunched her membership site, WydeSyde, through PAYSITE.

UK House of Commons Moves to Tone Down Porn Amendments

The House of Commons has modified amendments to the U.K.’s pending Crime and Policing Bill, including provisions regulating “step” content, content featuring adults role-playing as minors, and performers’ ability to withdraw consent.

Show More