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Figure 1.3 Global Fixed and Mobile Broadband Subscriptions per
100 Inhabitants, 2000–10
broadband subscriptions per 100
inhabitants
15
10
5
0
4.3
5.2
4.6
6.1
0.3
0.0
0.6
0.0
1.0
0.0
1.6
0.1
2.4
0.5
3.3
1.1
2.4
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010a Trends in Supply
Developments in the types of technologies and business models used to
deploy broadband network infrastructure are allowing operators to supply
more people with broadband connections at lower costs. In developed
countries, network operators are installing fi ber optic cables closer to end
users, reaching directly into their neighborhoods, offi ces, and homes. In
developing countries, the spread of high-speed wireless networks promises
to gain momentum over the next few years. Wireless broadband is already
more prevalent than wireline broadband in many developed and developing
countries, but to a much greater extent in developing countries. As noted in
table 1.3, the number of wireless broadband subscriptions in Sub-Saharan
Africa, for example, is more than eight times the number of wireline subscriptions,
suggesting the potential for wireless broadband in areas where
traditional wireline infrastructure may be absent.
With the number of wireless broadband subscriptions worldwide
expected to reach the 1 billion mark in 2011, developing countries, particularly
China and India, are often leading the way. Together, China and India
have the top fi ve mobile operators in terms of total number of subscriptions,
which is expected to continue as mobile broadband grows.
20 Broadband Strategies Handbook
6.8
10.3
mobile broadband subscriptions fixed broadband subscriptions
Source: ITU, World Telecommunications Indicators database.
a. Estimated.
6.9
13.6
8.0