According to Point Topic, the worldwide total of broadband lines grew to 209.3m lines during the fourth quarter of 2005, an increase of 37 percent from 153.3m lines on 31 December 2004.
The total number of broadband lines thus added between the end of 2004 and the end of 2005 was 56.2m. Whereas the third quarter of 2005 showed an increase in the actual number of lines which was definitely higher than in previous quarters, the growth rate in the fourth quarter dropped, returning to the expected average of 8 percent.
While 12.4m lines were added in Q1 2005, 13.1m in Q2 2005, 15.1m in Q3 2005, Q4 2005 showed only a small further gain with 15.5m being added. Quarterly growth in percentage terms remained steady, ranging from 7.9 percent to 8.4 percent during 2005.
It highlights that despite exceptionally low penetration rates in many regions and the potential for broadband lines to growth rapidly, the global trend is very stable -- without any noticeable sign of either slowing down or accelerating.
The total number of broadband lines thus added between the end of 2004 and the end of 2005 was 56.2m. Whereas the third quarter of 2005 showed an increase in the actual number of lines which was definitely higher than in previous quarters, the growth rate in the fourth quarter dropped, returning to the expected average of 8 percent.
While 12.4m lines were added in Q1 2005, 13.1m in Q2 2005, 15.1m in Q3 2005, Q4 2005 showed only a small further gain with 15.5m being added. Quarterly growth in percentage terms remained steady, ranging from 7.9 percent to 8.4 percent during 2005.
It highlights that despite exceptionally low penetration rates in many regions and the potential for broadband lines to growth rapidly, the global trend is very stable -- without any noticeable sign of either slowing down or accelerating.