Fixed broadband lines to hit half a billion

Fixed-line broadband subscriptions across the world are set to break the 500 million mark in 2010, according to new research.

The report from Informa Telecoms & Media claimed the market will soar past half a billion this year thanks to developing nations like China and India still needing to get tens of millions of homes online.

Informa predicted this will lead to a second influx of broadband growth that will be good for all areas of the industry.

Rob Gallagher, principal analyst at Informa and author of the report, said in a statement: "Given that about four out of five households do not have broadband in these markets, there is still much room for growth. We forecast that these underserved markets will contribute the bulk of the next 100 million subscriptions by 2014."

There are currently 480 million recorded broadband lines across the world with China topping the list with over 91 million in its borders. The UK came relatively high in sixth place, though with a much more meagre number of just over 18 million.

The report claimed that all regions recorded increases in fixed broadband lines of between three and five per cent in the first half of 2009, excluding Africa which is still battling with poor fixed-line infrastructure and low income levels.