Communications Regulatory Authority

Figure 1.3. Broadband connections in the world (millions of lines)
IDC, 2006 |
* Forecasts
Source:
With reference to the distribution of the broadband connections among the
various technological platforms, no variations are seen compared to the past years:
xDSL is the dominant technology in all geographic areas, with the exception of the
United States, where cabled lines still account for the largest segment (more than half of
all connections). In this regard, it is important to stress how all the chief world fixed
telecommunications operators that offer Internet connectivity services by means of
xDSL platforms are investing in the transition to ADSL2 + VDSL technologies. The
latter support higher data transmission speeds (an essential element for the supply of
value-added services, most importantly IPTV), which require a high transmission band
availability.
On the other hand, fibre optics connections occupy a market niche. In
expectation, as has already been said, of an increasingly greater need for transmission
capacity for providing value-added services, some operators (which up to now had been
focusing only on xDSL) are evaluating the possibility of investing in this technology
also. Nevertheless, given the costs entailed in laying the infrastructure (excavations and
administrative costs), it is probable that any initiatives will be limited to newly built
areas, or to metropolitan areas with high population densities. However, even in the
latter case, it is probable that, for cost reasons, the final connections (up to the users’
homes) will be made using copper connections.
Lastly, an even more marginal role is played by the other types of transmission
technologies such as satellite, “Wi-Fi”, and “WiMAX”.
Figure 1.4. shows the dissemination of the sites equipped with hot spots that
permit high-speed wireless connections.
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