Worldwide fixed broadband subscriber totaled 503 million at the end of 2010. Nearly 48 million subscribers were added in the fourth quarter alone according to ABI Research’s most recent Broadband Subscribers Market Data. “The increasing penetration of IPTV and online video services is among the factors which boost the growth in subscriptions,” says practice director Jason Blackwell.

South Korea, Hong Kong and France are among the countries and regions with the highest fixed broadband penetration. In countries with high broadband penetration, broadband operators are trying to gain market share by competitive speed and price offers. The result, however, is a drop in broadband subscription fees.

Broadband subscribers today are increasingly using higher speeds to offer more advanced services. In order to meet the demand for higher speeds operators are upgrading their broadband networks. For example, the UK’s national broadband operator, British Telecom, has plans to roll out fiber-to-the cabinet technology in 41 towns by spring next year. This plan will enable households in these areas to get broadband access at up to 40Mbps.

“Network upgrades and offers by the operators of multimedia services over broadband network will accelerate the growing number of subscribers adopting higher broadband speeds,” says research associate Khin Sandi Lynn. At the end of the third quarter of 2010, 7.6% of global broadband subscribers could access download speeds above 20Mbps, up from 6.4% in 2Q-2010.

Fiber broadband is the technology of choice for many of today’s advanced applications such as IPTV, video conferencing, education and health care. As a result, it is the fastest growing broadband platform. ABI Research estimates that there will be 71 million fiber broadband subscribers at the end of 2011.

ABI Research’s new study “Broadband Subscribers Market Data”, which is updated biannually, profiles subscriber trends categorized by operator, by country, and by technology. Detailed market trends and market forecast information for key regions and countries around the globe are provided where available.

The database forms part of the company’s Connected Home Research Service, which also includes other Market Data products, Research Reports, Surveys, ABI Insights, and analyst inquiry support.