Broadband is transforming not only the internet landscape but also the online and offline behavior of high-speed internet users, eMarketer writes, citing its report analyzing the the changes that widespread connectivity is causing in communications, commerce and entertainment. Because of broadband, users "integrate the internet into their daily lives. This changes how they communicate, socialize, shop and access entertainment," according to the author of the report, which categorizers users by their behavior rather than traditional demographics.

For example, the current group of 50 million broadband users who shop online is expected grow to nearly 100 million by 2008 and will be responsible for nearly all online retail sales. In late 2004 and early 2005, the number of broadband users surpassed the number of dial-up users for the first time.

eMarketer estimates that by the end of 2005 more than 105 million broadband users will be accessing the internet from various locations at least once a month, and forecasts that number to surpass157 million by 2008.