June 16, 2009 9:34 AM PDT

Global broadband access on the rise

by Lance Whitney
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 2 comments

More people throughout the world are hopping onto the high-speed bandwagon.

Global broadband access jumped by 16.6 million lines in the last quarter, reaching a total of 429.2 million lines throughout the world, says a report released Tuesday by industry group Broadband Forum.

Despite the sluggish economy, growth was slightly higher in the latest quarter than over the prior three months, according to the report.

In this past quarter, broadband access grew by 10 percent in 20 different countries. The biggest gainers were India at 13.4 percent, the Ukraine at 15.2 percent, Egypt at 10.6 percent, and Mexico at 10.3 percent. Access in North America rose 3.87 percent, reaching 93.5 million lines, the report said.

Top 10 Broadband countries

China ranks at the top of the list for highest number of broadband lines at 88 million, while the U.S. is number two with 83.9 million lines, the report said.

Among broadband technologies, DSL is still the most popular with a 64 percent slice of the market. Cable is next at 20 percent. Fiber is pulling up fast, capturing more than 3 million new lines to gain a 12 percent market stake, the report said.

Broadband market share

Based in California, the Broadband Forum is a worldwide group of around 200 companies involved with telecommunications, computing, and networking. The broadband report was prepared for the forum by industry research firm Point Topic.

Lance Whitney wears a few different technology hats--journalist, Web developer, and software trainer. He's a contributing editor for Microsoft TechNet Magazine and writes for other computer publications and Web sites. You can follow Lance on Twitter at @lancewhit. Lance is a member of the CNET Blog Network, and he is not an employee of CNET.
Recent posts from Wireless
Q&A: Researcher Karsten Nohl on mobile eavesdropping
Online holiday sales hit $27 billion
Amazon touts top products of 2009
Leaked Nexus One documents: $530 unlocked, $180 with T-Mobile
Nokia hits Apple with latest patent complaint
Android and iPhone users not so different after all
AT&T resumes online iPhone sales in NY
GSM crypto code cracked, engineer says
Add a Comment (Log in or register)
by smh4659 June 16, 2009 11:29 AM PDT
It has become very apparent that the Obama Administration and Congress have displayed their commitment to assisting with the deployment of broadband connectivity and job stimulation across the U.S. with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Although delayed, a $7.2 billion Broadband Stimulus bubble is coming.

So, once RUS and NTIA approve specific applications for Broadband Stimulus Loans/Grants, projects will need to be started quickly and completed within 24 months. How will you make sure you have timely access to all of the products you will need to keep your project on schedule?

http://kgpl2009.wordpress.com/
Reply to this comment
by clynx June 16, 2009 7:13 PM PDT
Data caps = censorship. Reality people.
Reply to this comment
advertisement

15 sites that went kaput in 2009

Web sites launch all the time, but they also shut their doors. We highlight 15 that bit the dust this year.

Top 10 news stories of the decade

Let the debate begin: Was the iPhone more important than iTunes? Was anything bigger than Google finding a great business model? CNET offers its list of the 10 most important stories of the '00s.

About Wireless

Check out the latest wireless news on CNET News, featuring the latest news on cell phones, mobile gear, VOIP, and internet access via broadband and wireless connections.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Wireless topics

advertisement
advertisement

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right