MUMBAI: With the changes in lifestyle and technology, internet has become inevitable for everyday life across the world. Now, there are more than one billion fixed broadband connections as per new data from the Broadband Forum. The statistics revealed in Broadband World Forum 2018, has been confirmed by market analysis firm Point Topic.

Point Topic’s World Broadband Statistics Q2 2018 report has shown the number of fixed broadband subscribers grew by 2.5 per cent from Q1 2018, the highest surge in the last six quarters. “This is a truly outstanding achievement, led by the communications industry, that has resulted in a major leap forward for humankind,” said Broadband Forum CEO Robin Mersh.

He further added that a billion installations leave broadband service providers an enormous opportunity for building new value on top of this foundation with new cloud-based services, enhanced efficiencies.

More interestingly, majority of new subscribers are from less developed regions and countries. In the developed markets, improved offerings and services supported by gigabit-capable broadband are driving the growth in ARPU.

Among this one billion subscriber base, 80 per cent of global connections are fibre-based – including Fibre-to-the-Home/Business/Cabinet connections – or cable-based. Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) is witnessing gradual fall having dropped eight per cent in the last year.

“In more saturated broadband markets, operators are focusing on upgrades to support gigabit broadband as they prepare to meet the requirements of new technologies such as IoT and the needs of more demanding consumers,” Point Topic CEO Oliver Johnson said.