Broadband Lines Reach 100 Million Worldwide In 2003
The worldwide total of broadband lines grew to 100.8 million last year according to a report by Point Topic. The report, titled World Broadband Statistics, showed that in the second half of last year 21 million broadband lines were added, with Asia Pacific contributing to almost half of this to maintain its overall 44% share.
Despite the wide range in country totals and growth rates, the world’s major economies are continuing to grow in their use of broadband. All the world’s biggest economies, the “Group of 7” are now in the broadband top ten. The UK has risen from only 750,000 users two years ago, to 3.6 million in February this year (see Broadband Remains Strong As Net Penetration Stalls).
Percentage Growth China clearly leads the way in percentage growth with a 70% increase in 2003, but Hungary is in second place with a 58% growth, highlighting the continuing development of broadband in Eastern Europe.
Western Europe dominated the remainder of the ‘top 10’, with Italy registering over 50% growth and Portugal, UK and France showing growth at over 40%.
Penetration There is still plenty of scope for increasing broadband penetration, as all countries except South Korea and Sweden increased by at least 2 lines per 100 population last year.