Washington, D.C. – Broadband for America (BfA), a coalition of more than 300 organizations dedicated to promoting the availability and adoption of broadband access to the Internet, today issued a statement concerning “Cyber Monday” and the central role connections in American homes and places of work plays in creating jobs and growing the economy.

“Broadband has become a major driver in helping to restart the U.S. economy,” said Broadband for America Honorary Co-Chairmen Harold Ford, Jr. and John Sununu.  "Cyber Monday is emblematic of the dramatic growth in online commerce and the value created by the Internet in our everyday lives.  It should remind everyone of the importance of policy that promotes broadband deployment, access and adoption."

Not too long ago, Cyber Monday failed to exist.  In a short period of time, it has become an extremely important date on the calendar of retailers across the nation.  Both brick-and-mortar stores and online outlets look toward Cyber Monday not just as a one-day event, but as a critical date in the holiday shopping season.  In fact, nearly 90 percent of retailers offered Cyber Monday promotions in 2010, up from 72 percent in 2007.

As a result, in 2010, Cyber Monday sales increased nearly 20 percent from the year before totaling more than one billion dollars.  Just four years earlier, Cyber Monday sales totaled just over $600 million.

The principal reason for Cyber Monday having taken on such an important role in our economy and the lives of Americans during “the most wonderful time of the year” is the growth of broadband in American homes.  From 2000 to 2010 the percentage of homes with broadband access to the Internet has grown from 4.4 percent to over 68 percent.

Cyber Monday allows parents to buy presents for their children without having to worry about babysitters or navigating congested shopping centers.  Almost three-quarters of younger Americans between the ages of 25-34 will shop on Cyber Monday.  And recent data finds the increased availability of high-speed Internet has appreciably impacted Cyber Monday with a transition in shopping from work computers to those in homes.

Forward-thinking retailers have embraced Cyber Monday as it extends the shopping season, even as they continue to promote Black Friday – the day after Thanksgiving that is viewed as the official kick off to the holiday shopping season. Major brick-and-mortar retailers are also aggressively competing in the online space encouraging shoppers to sign up for emails alerting them to online-only specials in the run up to Black Friday. 

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About Broadband for America

Broadband for America (BfA) is a growing coalition of over 300 members ranging from independent consumer advocacy groups, to content and application providers, to the companies which build and maintain the Internet. The complete BfA membership list is available at: http://www.broadbandforamerica.com/about/members