2017 Global Fixed Broadband Market - Trends, Statistics and Progress

Fixed broadband is a key infrastructure for future progress

It has become very clear that innovation related to ICT and digital technologies is one of the key components for future economic and social strength. Countries with a sophisticated fixed and mobile telecoms infrastructure are well placed to take advantage of these future technological and societal developments.

Countries without the necessary infrastructure however are expected to lag behind, especially once innovations around the Internet of Everything, M2M and Big Data gather pace. We are already seeing the beginnings of sophisticated Smart Cities emerge in some parts of the world.

Asia makes a strong claim to be leading the world when it comes to the general development of broadband internet. While mobile broadband is already a large and fast growing segment of the region’s internet market, fixed broadband continues to underpin the delivery of internet services to households and businesses. Fibre-based fixed broadband services have taken on a major significance and are shaping up to define the broadband market of the future.

This BuddeComm report aims to capture the progress of the current fixed broadband market around the world, supported by statistics, case studies and analysis. In addition, the report includes unique regional case studies written by BuddeComm’s senior analysts, and includes: Europe, USA, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Middle East.

Key developments:

• South Korea and Japan are the leading two countries in Asia in regards to internet penetration with levels reaching over 90% in 2017.
• The legacy and impact of Google Fiber has been profound.
• International bandwidth continues to be primarily connected via US and Canada – however North America’s long held dominant position in this regard is declining and Europe’s role is increasing.
• Many countries from the Middle Eastern region are aware that fixed broadband infrastructure is important for economic growth and keeping pace with technological advancements. While mobile broadband is often the leading access technology in many markets – there are still enormous investments in fixed broadband infrastructure taking place.
• The European Commission (EC) has for some years promoted a vision to provide broadband as a universal service.
• The Irish government is poised to award a contract as part of its National Broadband Plan by which all premises will receive a service of at least 30Mb/s by 2022.
• With IP networks forming the foundation of the burgeoning market for bundled services, broadband has become one of the fastest growing sectors of the overall telecoms market in the USA.
• On the whole, the size of the overall Latin American market, and its potential for prolonged growth, continues to attract investment from international telcos. The results of these investments can be seen in upgraded networks, particularly in relation to LTE and FttP infrastructure.
• Many African nations have advanced National Broadband Plans in progress. To a great extent this infrastructure has been made possible by the increased bandwidth enabled by new and upgraded subsea cables.
• New Zealand - Progress in FTTH deployment continues unabated. It is rapidly becoming one of the leading FTTH countries.
• Australia - The main development here is a move away from FTTN to FTTC. Rollout of the NBN is gathering pace.