Dallas - By the end of 2007, 55% of all U.S. households will have high-speed Internet access, according to projections in a report from market research firm Parks Associates.

Subscriptions rose 20% in 2006 to exceed 50 million households, and are expected to surpass 60 million by year's end.

"The foundations of digital lifestyle applications and products are built on access services, including broadband Internet and television," said Kurt Scherf, vice president and principal analyst with Parks Associates.

The report finds that service providers in recent years have been more closely aligning themselves with makers of devices including set-top boxes, PCs, home networks and game consoles.

"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," added Scherf.

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