Petroc Taylor
Research expert covering global developments in the use of data
Fixed broadband internet - statistics & facts
Whether it’s online gaming or video conferencing, many internet users look to fixed broadband for a fast, reliable internet connection. A fixed broadband connection is defined as a high-speed internet connection delivered to a fixed location via wired telecommunications networks, though in some cases the term may also include connections using wireless technology. A range of connection types are in use across the globe, with traditional DSL connections utilizing existing copper telephone lines and more advanced fiber networks achieving superior bandwidth and reduced latency. In 2024, the fixed data communications market was forecast to generate 430 billion U.S. dollars worldwide.
Moving forwards, service providers will be eager to meet increasing consumer demands, with AI applications driving the need for increased bandwidth with minimal latency.
Fixed broadband adoption remains low in Africa
There were almost 1.5 billion fixed broadband subscriptions across the globe as of 2023. Europe had by far the highest subscription penetration as of that year, with around 36 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, and was ranked as the world’s most affordable market, with a basic service priced at around one percent of the region’s GNI per capita. Meanwhile, low affordability and a lack of fixed-line infrastructure have severely limited adoption in Africa, where penetration has remained below one subscription per 100. This figure underpins low internet access in the continent, with a pronounced urban and rural divide.Fiber networks unleash lightning-fast download speeds
Singapore and Hong Kong topped a 2024 fixed broadband download speed ranking, with average speeds of around 278 and 275 Mbps, respectively. Higher download speeds are driven by the adoption of fiber optic networks, with fiber deployment dominating the broadband sector over the past two decades. Fiber to the premises (FTTP) connections are considered “full fiber” in that fiber optic cables run directly to a given property, while inferior services may use existing copper cables for some portion of the connection. FTTP connections accounted for around two-thirds of fixed internet connections worldwide as of late 2023.FWA promises to bring high-speed services to remote areas
A more recent innovation in the broadband sector has been the increased viability of fixed wireless access (FWA) services. FWA involves the use of 5G or 4G technology to provide high-speed internet access to a fixed location without wired broadband infrastructure. In the case of 5G, this allows users to obtain a service with download speeds and latency comparable to that of wired alternatives. 5G FWA has been posed as a means of bridging the digital divide in rural areas, but it remains to be seen as to whether this can be a viable solution in developing markets.Moving forwards, service providers will be eager to meet increasing consumer demands, with AI applications driving the need for increased bandwidth with minimal latency.
