Analyst firm In-Stat has estimated that the world was home to 763 Million broadband subscribers in 2010, which includes Mobile wireless internet users. However, it also predicted that the continued growth rate of 25%, which had been seen from 2007 through to 2009, will plummet to just 10% by 2014 due to maturing markets.


The firm also makes the not unreasonable claim that most higher-speed internet connection uptake has come about as a direct result of consumers demanding to watch more online video / TV, use IP-based telephony services (VoIP) and or downloading music files.

Approximately 76% of the world’s FTTH (fibre optic) broadband subscribers reside in the Asia/Pacific region, although total worldwide DSL ( ADSL etc. ) users will reach 371 Million at year-end 2010, fuelled primarily by strong demand for DSL services in the same region.