France has 30.4 lines per 100 people, Germany 30.3, Canada 29.6 and Britain 29.5. The penetration is effectively identical. While the U.S. is lower at 26.4, much of the difference is larger family sizes and more extreme poverty.  Scandinavia, Switzerland and Korea are far ahead, but most of the larger countries are surprisingly close. 

     France has the 30 euro triple play but as Scott Wallsten mentions is not much more deeply penetrated. Japan in the past had very attractive prices. Although that edge has eroded, it's surprising to find them at 24.8. I believe that's because many in Japan are happy reading their email etc. on their cellphones. Canada had been far ahead of the U.S. for years, but CRTC has allowed Bell and the cablecos to effectively create a cartel and raise prices.

     Those unhappy with U.S. policy or wanting government charity have been screaming "the U.S. is #15." That's true, but the gap with most contries is modest.  My opinion is being in the great iddle is unacceptable and that the U.S., the first in large deployments, should be among the leaders. The FCC obviously doesn't agree, because they've just allowed another series of price increases.