The DigiWorld Institute, which is part of IDATE's consultancy business, has confirmed that there were 112.6 million fibre optic based broadband ISP subscribers (e.g. FTTH , FTTC etc.) worldwide by June 2011. By contrast the total number of "homes passed" (i.e. within reach of a fibre service) stood at 361.68 Million. This means that roughly a third of those who can get a fibre service end up taking it.It's interesting to separate off and examine the figures for true fibre optic ( FTTH / FTTB / FTTP ) services, which take a fibre line right up to your doorstep instead of just the local cabinet ( FTTC ). DigiWorld reports that FTTH/B/P subscribers grew by 54% over 12 months to reach 67 million by June 2011. The number of "homes passed" for FTTH/B/P jumped 47% over the same period to hit 178.84 Million.
DigiWorld's Report Statement
The global FTTx market continued to grow in the first half of 2011, with a subscriber base that increased by around 15% [as of June 2011]. This rate of growth was nonetheless well below the roughly 39% increase of the previous six months which saw a massive rise in FTTx subscriber numbers in China – a growth spurt that has since levelled off.
An analysis of the figures for the first half of 2011 reveals a certain levelling off of the global ultra-fast broadband market’s growth momentum. The strong increase in FTTx subscriber numbers during the previous six months could be attributed mainly to the Chinese market whose carriers released more information on actual penetration levels for their superfast broadband offers.
The increase in the number of homes passed is once again higher than the increase in actual subscribers, which confirms that rollouts continue to be a priority for a great many players, as they anticipate a massive uptick in demand further down the road. This is true around the globe, although situations do vary from country to country.
The global FTTx market continued to grow in the first half of 2011, with a subscriber base that increased by around 15% [as of June 2011]. This rate of growth was nonetheless well below the roughly 39% increase of the previous six months which saw a massive rise in FTTx subscriber numbers in China – a growth spurt that has since levelled off.
An analysis of the figures for the first half of 2011 reveals a certain levelling off of the global ultra-fast broadband market’s growth momentum. The strong increase in FTTx subscriber numbers during the previous six months could be attributed mainly to the Chinese market whose carriers released more information on actual penetration levels for their superfast broadband offers.
The increase in the number of homes passed is once again higher than the increase in actual subscribers, which confirms that rollouts continue to be a priority for a great many players, as they anticipate a massive uptick in demand further down the road. This is true around the globe, although situations do vary from country to country.
The report forecasts that the world will be home to 81.77 Million FTTH/B/P subscribers by the end of 2011 and this will reach 198.27 Million by the end of 2015. As usual the UK, which is home to around half a million fibre subscribers (FTTC and FTTH/B/P), barely even registers.
By comparison Russia remains the biggest FTTH/B market in Europe and the 5th largest in the world, with almost 5.2 Million subscribers. Sweden comes in 9th and France 10th. Meanwhile the rest of Europe and the UK are at risk of falling behind developing nations, although significant efforts are being made to improve the situation.
One of the toughest challenges is convincing people to swap from their existing service and onto a usually more expensive FTTx package. This wouldn't be such a problem in the UK if it wasn't for the fact that most of the major operators continue to build out their fibre services into areas that can already receive good connectivity (i.e. people have less incentive to upgrade). That will change but it's a slow process.
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Comments: 6
cyberdoylePosted: 15 February, 2012 - 10:50 AM
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I once knew two old chaps who had a bath every year. Whether they needed it or not. Their skin was as soft as a baby and they didn't smell.
Unless you love being clean and have easy access to warm water and the skill to get in and out of a bath, you won't bathe. You'll just wash.
Same with fibre.
Many are disillusioned with the internet due to poor connectivity so don't bother with it.
Many are happy with their connections, they fill the bath (slow but sure) and they don't want to change/pay more.
Until we bring our bathrooms up to speed and stop using the tin bath in front of the fire we can never expect people to appreciate the difference.
Build it and they will come.
Get fibre rings round the cities, give the rurals fast pipes to fill baths and soon everyone will be diving in. Competition will soon make the incumbent fibre the cities and stop sweating the tin bath copper asset.
FibreFredPosted: 15 February, 2012 - 11:55 AM
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give the rurals fast pipes?
They can pay for them now if they want, you can get fibre out to rural hubs from multiple providers already.
If you want them given i.e. for free you'll be waiting a long time.
New_LondonerPosted: 15 February, 2012 - 6:04 PM
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@CD
Quote "Many are disillusioned with the internet due to poor connectivity so don't bother with it."
THankfully the facts don't really nack this up. As reported here, 41.99 Million UK adults have gone online (83.5% of the population, up from 82.9% in Q3-2011). So in fact the vast majority of the population are using the internet, a small minority are not bothering with it.
If you examine the reasons given for not using it, many of the minority are also socially excluded in various ways. Others do not see the relevance to their life, don't have the knowledge to use a computer or don't have the means to pay. Ofcom and teh ONS have this data.
WHat evidence do you have to suggest that lack of FTTP is as big factor of those I've listed above?
SomersetPosted: 15 February, 2012 - 9:06 PM
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cd - as I asked elsewhere please explain how fibre rings round cities have any relevance. There is fibre all over towns and cities linking exchanges, businesses and cabinets. Not an issue.
I know you don't like explaining your soundbites or replying after your first comments but it does not give any value to your posts. (as in 4G rollout restricted by copper local ends)
SledgehammerPosted: 15 February, 2012 - 9:38 PM
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@New_Londoner
Quote THankfully the facts don't really nack this up. As reported here, 41.99 Million UK adults have gone online (83.5% of the population, up from 82.9% in Q3-2011). So in fact the vast majority of the population are using the internet, a small minority are not bothering with it.
All this comes from a later item and not this one.
New_LondonerPosted: 15 February, 2012 - 9:59 PM
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^^^^
Agreed - when I said "as reported here" I meant here in ISPReview, not here in this story. Sorry for any confusion - and the typos! EG nack = back.
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