Further evidence has emerged that the take-up of hi-speed broadband services will not be as great as previously predicted.

Research published yesterday suggests that narrowband dial-up access will remain the dominant method of getting online.

Market research outfit Cahners In-Stat Group reported that of the 70 per cent of US households predicted to have Net access by 2005, most will still be using dial-up Net access.

What's more, consumer demand for Net access in the US is flattening out. Cahners In-Stat claims that 30 per cent of US households simply have no interest in any form of Net access at all.

If analysts are right, then the US has almost hit saturation point. In February Nielsen/NetRatings reported that Net penetration for home users in the US had reached 58 per cent - just 12 points off Cahners In-Stat prediction.

Cahners In-Stat also reports that some 30 per cent of US households will have broadband access by 2005.

Said Daryl Schoolar, Senior Analyst with In-Stat's ISP Service: "By the year 2005 there will still be just as many households without Internet access, as those using cable modems or DSL."

Despite this, US penetration of broadband services will be double that of households in Europe.

Earlier this month Jupiter MMXI predicted that demand for broadband services in Europe would be slow with only 14 per cent of European households using hi-speed services by 2005. ®

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