Study: Fiber broadband subscriptions are set to double
Fiber optic subscriptions are expected to rise dramatically during the next few years.
By Max BurkhalterJuly 21, 2011
According to estimates from a new study from ABI worldwide, fiber broadband subscriber numbers will more than double in 2016 to 142 million subscribers, from 69.6 million in 2011. Extending fiber broadband coverage not only increases speed but also permits the roll out of services including video on demand and IPTV.
The number of fixed broadband subscribers is enjoying solid growth this year. According to ABI Research practice director Jason Blackwell, “There were more than 539 million fixed broadband subscribers globally at the end of second quarter. That is an eight percent increase from the same quarter in 2010. Customer net addition is stronger in emerging markets.”
ABI Research findings indicate that, North America is now the region with the highest fiber optic broadband penetration. The study adds that the Asia-Pacific region is in second place. The Asia Pacific region is seeing robust subscriber growth, due in particular to the increasing number of subscribers in China. About 17 million Chinese subscribers have been added since the second quarter of last year.
In addition, the number of customers using high bandwidth services such as Internet video and online gaming is growing around the world. Rapidly expanding IP traffic generated by these services is putting Internet service providers under pressure to handle the bandwidth demand. Broadband operators are expanding fiber broadband coverage which can best serve these bandwidth-hungry services. China Telecom is deploying fiber optic broadband intending to serve 100 million households and 30 million fiber-to-the-home subscribers by the end of 2015.
“The Asia-Pacific broadband market is sure to continue growing in the medium-term since low broadband penetration in countries such as China and India leaves plenty of room for broadband growth,” says ABI research analyst Khin Sandi Lynn.
ABI Research’s new “Broadband Subscribers Market Data” study, which is updated biannually, details subscriber trends categorized by operator, by country, and by technology. Detailed market trends and market forecast information for key regions and countries around the world are provided where available. This database presents an overview of the broadband market across three key platforms: DSL, cable, and fiber. Broadband Subscribers Market Data supplies historical and cumulative subscriber forecasts and penetration for the related broadband platforms.
Data is analyzed for seven regions around the world (Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia- Pacific, North America, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), as well as for key countries within each region. The proportion of broadband subscribers base on the minimum download speed of each region is provided.
The number of fixed broadband subscribers is enjoying solid growth this year. According to ABI Research practice director Jason Blackwell, “There were more than 539 million fixed broadband subscribers globally at the end of second quarter. That is an eight percent increase from the same quarter in 2010. Customer net addition is stronger in emerging markets.”
ABI Research findings indicate that, North America is now the region with the highest fiber optic broadband penetration. The study adds that the Asia-Pacific region is in second place. The Asia Pacific region is seeing robust subscriber growth, due in particular to the increasing number of subscribers in China. About 17 million Chinese subscribers have been added since the second quarter of last year.
In addition, the number of customers using high bandwidth services such as Internet video and online gaming is growing around the world. Rapidly expanding IP traffic generated by these services is putting Internet service providers under pressure to handle the bandwidth demand. Broadband operators are expanding fiber broadband coverage which can best serve these bandwidth-hungry services. China Telecom is deploying fiber optic broadband intending to serve 100 million households and 30 million fiber-to-the-home subscribers by the end of 2015.
“The Asia-Pacific broadband market is sure to continue growing in the medium-term since low broadband penetration in countries such as China and India leaves plenty of room for broadband growth,” says ABI research analyst Khin Sandi Lynn.
ABI Research’s new “Broadband Subscribers Market Data” study, which is updated biannually, details subscriber trends categorized by operator, by country, and by technology. Detailed market trends and market forecast information for key regions and countries around the world are provided where available. This database presents an overview of the broadband market across three key platforms: DSL, cable, and fiber. Broadband Subscribers Market Data supplies historical and cumulative subscriber forecasts and penetration for the related broadband platforms.
Data is analyzed for seven regions around the world (Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia- Pacific, North America, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), as well as for key countries within each region. The proportion of broadband subscribers base on the minimum download speed of each region is provided.
