The latest research from telecoms analyst firm Point Topic UK has revealed that value-added services (e.g. internet security , VoIP , IPTV etc.) accounted for an average of almost 37% of basic broadband subscription fees during 2010. As a result worldwide Broadband Value-Added Services (BVAS) were estimated to have generated £38.5 Billion ($60bn) at the end of 2010.

By comparison, total global broadband internet access revenue increased from a run rate of £83bn ($129bn) at the end of 2009 to £101bn ($157bn) at the end of 2010. This is based upon Point Topic's estimation that an average broadband sub (world) costs approximately £18 per month ($28).


The results also suggest that VoIP (Voice-over-IP) is the most valuable service to communication providers. VoIP revenues (excluding Skype's $859 million earned during 2010) ran at a rate of just over £11bn ($17bn) at the end of 2010, with 120 million VoIP subscribers (i.e. those where VoIP is a substitution for phone lines).


Point Topic cautions that the recent economic problems, which has caused some homes to cut back, could have an impact upon the figures for 2011 and produce a "slight slowdown". Such an impact is predicted to be a short term problem.