Internet - Akamai reports 7% growth in IP addresses year-on-year

[akamai] Akamai Technologies, Inc., the leading provider of cloud optimization services, today announced the release of its 3rd Quarter, 2010 State of the Internet report available for download at www.akamai.com/stateoftheinternet. Leveraging information gathered from the Company's global server network, the report provides insight into key Internet statistics such as broadband adoption, mobile connectivity, and attack traffic, as well as trends over time.

Highlights from Akamai's quarterly report follow:

Internet Penetration

In the third quarter of 2010, over 533 million unique IP addresses, from 235 countries/regions, connected to the Akamai network. This represents 6.6% more IP addresses than the second quarter of 2010, and 20% more than the same quarter a year ago. All of the countries in the top 10 saw quarterly growth, with South Korea’s 11% increase the largest amongst that group. Annual growth was strong as well, with seven of the top 10 countries experiencing double digit percentage increases. Notably, China grew by over 30% in the last year, adding approximately 15 million unique IP addresses.

Mobile Consumption

The average data consumption experienced by mobile providers grew during the third quarter on 101 of the 111 listed providers. Eighty-nine of the mobile providers saw consumption of data downloaded from Akamai increase on a year-over-year basis. In addition, 35 providers doubled the average monthly volume of content downloaded from Akamai year-over-year.

Mobile Connectivity

A mobile provider in Russia took the top spot for the highest average connection speed among the known mobile network providers, reaching nearly 6 Mbps. In reviewing average peak connection speeds, a provider in Slovakia has again topped the list with an average peak connection speed of nearly 23 Mbps, gaining approximately 2.5 Mbps from the second quarter. Average peak connection speeds remained strong in the third quarter, with fifteen providers achieving speeds in excess of 10 Mbps, and all but two of the 111 listed providers achieving speeds of 1 Mbps or more. Looking at trends over time, six providers recorded greater than 100% quarterly growth in average peak connection speeds, with 41 increasing 100% or more year-over-year.

Attack Traffic

The U.S. remained the top source of observed attack traffic, followed by Russia. In aggregate, the two countries were responsible for just over 20% of observed attack traffic, with the balance coming from 207 additional countries/regions. Aggregated at a continental level, Europe was responsible for the highest percentage of observed attacks. In looking at attack traffic from just mobile network providers, Italy remained in the top spot at 28 percent. The United Kingdom saw the largest quarterly increase (nearly 80%) in observed attack traffic from known mobile network providers.

Global Connection Speeds

Globally, the average connection speed once again increased, both quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year, reaching nearly 2 Mbps. Taiwan’s 24% quarterly growth was the most significant among the top 10 countries/regions, enabling it to achieve an average connection speed of 5 Mbps. In examining the average peak speeds around the world, only four countries/regions had speeds of 30 Mbps or more – South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Romania.

100 Fastest Cities Worldwide

In reviewing the top 100 fastest cities around the world based on average connection speeds during the third quarter of 2010, the report reveals the following findings:

* Cities in Asia overwhelmingly continued to dominate the top 100 list, once again accounting for three-quarters of the list, with 61 cities in Japan and 13 cities in South Korea and Hong Kong
* After several quarters in first place, Masan, South Korea fell to third place globally, bested by South Korean cities Taegu and Taejon
* Constanta, Romania ranked as the fastest city in Europe (#48 out of 100)
* Only thirteen U.S. cities made the list, with San Jose, CA ranking as the fastest U.S. city (#57 out of 100)

In the third quarter, the city view of average peak connection speeds in the U.S. was again dominated by cities on the West Coast. The Boston Metro area was the sole East Coast location to be included in the top 10.

Fastest U.S. States

The overall average connection speed for the U.S. as a whole in the third quarter of 2010 was 5.0 Mbps. Delaware continued to maintain its standing as the state with the fastest average connection speed. The overall average peak connection speed in the U.S. during the third quarter was 20 Mbps. In looking at high broadband adoption in the U.S. during the third quarter, trending was mostly positive. Quarterly increases in high broadband adoption of 10% or more were seen in 23 states and the District of Columbia, with New Mexico topping the list at 60% growth. In reviewing year-over-year changes in U.S. broadband adoption, four states (Alaska, Minnesota, Montana, and Alabama) grew more than 100% year-over-year, with Alaska’s massive 191% growth leading the way.

Akamai State of the Internet Report Spotlights Latest Global Speed and Attack Trends from Fixed and Mobile Internet Connections