As a result, broadband access speeds have also increased. In 2003, only a handful of countries had commercial broadband offers of over 3.5 Mbps. In 2008, broadband Internet access speeds of 3.5 Mbps or more were commercially available in over sixty countries, inverting the distribution curve of broad-band economic benefi ts conferred by broadband in im-mediate employment, spillover effects and spurring private investment. Extensive broadband stimulus plans in OECD coun-tries are likely to impact the digital divide, however. The roll-out of networks offering 50-100 Mbps bandwidth in many OECD countries could reshape the digital divide in terms of relative Internet access speeds in comparison to developing countries. speeds for the fi rst time (Figure 8, bottom histogram chart). However, if OECD countries in Europe, North America and Asia forge ahead with the deployment of FTTx networks, developing coun-tries may once again fi nd themselves on the wrong ITU has monitored trends in access to broadband Internet and broadband speeds and prices for more than 200 countries around the world since 2003. The good news is that, even before broadband stimu-lus side of a growing digital divide. Widespread adop-tion of broadband stimulus plans could reshape the digital divide. plans were announced (or implemented), the number of countries with fi xed broadband Internet commercially available has grown steadily, from just 81 countries in 2002 to 182 countries in 2008 (Figure 8, top chart). Ever-growing consumer demand for greater bandwidth is pressurizing com-panies This Report has so far examined the consequences of stimulus plans for the fi nancing and roll-out of ICT infrastructure. The next Section examines the im-pact of the fi nancial crisis on the ICT industry and markets for different technologies, including wire-less into investing in broadband and rolling out communication technologies, Next-Generation FTTH. Networks and the satellite industry. 56 Confronting the Crisis: ICT Stimulus Plans for Economic Growth