Global subscriptions to DSL rocketed to 164 million by 30 June 2006 and worldwide, the number of business and residential users selecting DSL for broadband access increased by almost 46 million – a growth of 38% in the 12 months.
“These latest subscriber figures are further evidence of DSL broadband’s remarkable rate of growth across the world“, said Michael Brusca, chairman and president of the DSL Forum. “Broadband is increasingly a key entertainment and information tool in homes, businesses and organisations worldwide, and sophisticated “quadruple play” broadband offerings of voice, video, data and mobile are now delivering continuous connectivity. Through its new BroadbandSuite initiative, the DSL Forum is committed to developing the specifications that enhance customer satisfaction and drive next-generation services over all broadband access technologies”.
Another 18 million broadband subscribers in European Union (EU) countries chose DSL in the year to 30 June 2006, a growth of 45% that reinforces the region’s global leadership. There are more than 56 million DSL subscribers in the EU, accounting for more than one-third of the global total.
The European Union added more than 17.5 million DSL subscribers in the 12 months to 30 June 2006, reaching a total figure of 56,128,885 – a growth of more than 45% in the year.
The EU is the world’s number one DSL region worldwide, accounting for more than 34% of all DSL subscribers.
The UK added 3,021,329 million new DSL subscribers in the 12 months to 30 June 2006, bringing the total figure to more than 8.7 million – a growth of almost 53%
The UK is the 6th ranked country worldwide by total DSL subscribers .
Of the countries with more than one million DSL subscribers, the UK is the 9th ranked country worldwide in terms of market penetration, with 24.8% of all telephone lines (per 100 lines) delivering DSL services.