By 2011, 89.9 million U.S. households will have broadband internet access, or 69.3 percent of what will be America's 129.7 million total households, according to a new study released by eMarketer (via InternetRetailer.com).

The study says growth of broadband access will increase steadily from 2007 through 2011. By the end of 2006, the U.S. had 54.6 million broadband households, or 45.9 percent, of all U.S. households. There were approximately 250 million broadband households worldwide at the end of '06.

eMarketer defines broadband as an internet connection of at least 200kbps in at least one direction; this includes ADSL, cable, satellite, fixed wireless, fiber, powerline, WiMAX and emerging broadband technologies accessible via the home.

The study says South Korea, Japan and, to a lesser extent, the United States, are entering a new phase of broadband development. The market is moving from high-speed internet to very-high-speed internet.