Residential subscriptions to broadband Internet services surged 20% in 2006 to exceed 50 million U.S. households, according to Digital Lifestyles: 2007 Outlook, a new study from Parks Associates. The report estimates U.S. residential broadband subscriptions will surpass 60 million households by year-end 2007, accounting for 55% of all U.S. households.

“The foundations of digital lifestyle applications and products are built on access services, including broadband Internet and television,” says Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst with Parks Associates. “With the penetration of high-speed Internet exceeding 50% in 2007, we’re also witnessing shifts in the way companies are positioning their communications, entertainment, and information services as home technology solutions.” Increased residential broadband will also spill over into increased levels of e-commerce. HBM