Broadband Penetration Continues to Saturate Globally

The total broadband population is counted at 367.7 million globally, according to "World Broadband Statistics: Q1 2008" from Point-Topic.

At the end of 2007, there were 351.1 million global subscribers to broadband, resulting in a 4.7 percent, or 16.6 million subscription, increase between the close of the year and the end of Q1.

Western Europe represents the highest share of broadband subscribers with 26.6 percent; North America (23.0 percent); and South and East Asia (21.3 percent) follow Europe closely in terms of market share. Western Europe (24.5 percent) and North America (25.6 percent) also lead the world in broadband penetration. Asia Pacific nations follow with 9.1 percent broadband penetration, then it's Eastern Europe (5.5 percent); Latin America (4.2 percent); Southeast Asia (2.9 percent); and the Middle East and Africa (2.4 percent).

In terms of total broadband subscribers, the United States reports the highest, with 75.7 million, up 3.46 percent from the previous quarter when there were 73.2 million subscribers. China registers 71 million subscribers, a 6.72 percent climb over Q4's 66.5 million. China also added the most new subscribers in Q1. The United States followed with the second largest number of new subscribers, and Germany added the third highest number.

Point-Topic collects quarterly statistics from major suppliers of DSL liens, cable modems, and fiber-to-the-home services to collect, collate, and analyze the data.