Point Topic CEO, Oliver Johnson, explained:

"The next wave of broadband, commonly titled ‘superfast’, is gathering steam. With more than half a billion fixed lines already in use and many markets extending the reach of fixed broadband across their populations, the spectre of a deepening digital divide rears its head.

On a global basis, if suppliers can shave 1% off the cost of a broadband service then that brings it into the economic reach of at least another five million households."

Johnson continued:

"The work that standards bodies around the world are doing on certification is a core element in bringing broadband to more people. [However] standards are [just] one component of bringing down the price of a broadband service. Competition, information and technological advances all make a difference.

It’s way too early to say we’ve solved the availability issue for broadband. There are still plenty of countries with lower penetration than you’d want to see. That said, the majority of those countries are where broadband services, even when they go past the front door, are not in households because they can’t afford it. Even in ‘mature’ and relatively rich broadband markets there are significant shortfalls in take-up due to the cost of a subscription and the kit that goes with it."