Strategy Analytics: Worldwide broadband subscriptions top 400 million

MAY 29, 2008 --Worldwide broadband subscriptions will reach 415 million in 2008, representing one billion discrete broadband users, reveals a new report from Strategy Analytics, "Broadband Forecast: 1H 2008." The number of broadband subscriptions will continue to grow to 621 million by 2012.

While DSL remains the dominant access technology, accounting for two-thirds of worldwide subscriptions, newer access technologies are taking hold, say analysts.

"Fiber and WiMax will increasingly displace traditional broadband access technologies, such as DSL and Cable," reports Ben Piper, director of the Strategy Analytics Broadband Network Strategies service. "This phenomenon is punctuated by the Asia Pacific region, where WiMax is expected to grow from 4.8 million subscriptions in 2008 to 23 million by 2012."

Worldwide, broadband service revenues will increase from $130 billion in 2008 to $190 billion in 2012, with Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America leading the way. This represents a 10.8% CAGR (2008-2012). Globally, Broadband ARPUs are expected to remain relatively stable during the forecast period.

"Global household penetration rates will continue to grow at a steady pace, approaching 35% in the next five years," addsIJohn Lee, analyst in the Strategy Analytics Digital Consumer practice. "Latin America and Asia Pacific will make up half of all global broadband subscriptions by 2012."

TheIreport, "Global Broadband Forecast: 1H 2008," covers 50 countries in six discrete regions and includes forecasts through 2012 of key metrics, including broadband penetration, service revenues, ARPUs, and subscribers by technology.

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