Press Release: Kneuer encourages OECD to better capture all broadband services: U.S. leads the world in broadband lines, Wi-Fi hotspots, Internet users, Internet hubs and E-commerce

For Immediate Release: November 5, 2007
Media Contact:  Todd Sedmak, (202) 482-7002 or tsedmak@ntia.doc.gov

WASHINGTON— John M.R. Kneuer, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Information and Communication and National Telecommunications and Information Administration Administrator, issued today the following statement about the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) new statistics and use of broadband services in OECD member countries.

"Since President Bush took office, the United States has experienced tremendous growth in high-speed Internet capabilities, with the number of broadband lines increasing by 1200% to 82.5 million as of December 2006.  In addition to leading the world with the largest number of broadband lines, the U.S. also leads in total Wi-Fi hotspots, Internet users, Internet hubs, and e-commerce revenues. 

“We appreciate the OECD’s efforts to look at a broader range of measurements through its new broadband portal and will continue to work with them to improve its methodology to better capture the full range of broadband services in the United States and other OECD members." 

Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration is responsible for the development of domestic and international telecommunications policy for the Executive Branch.

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