Global fixed broadband subscriptions up to end-2022; Ultrafast UK sector updates; ISP news; government and Ofcom updates
Point Topic’s key publication of the month:
Global Broadband Subscriptions at end-2022: Fibre Claims Two Thirds
Key findings
In 2022, the number of global fixed broadband connections grew by 6.65% and stood at 1.36bn. We recorded a decline in fixed broadband subscriptions in twelve countries[1]which mainly include emerging markets, as well as a couple of mature markets in well developed countries.
Global fixed broadband subscriber growth was the second slowest in the last four quarters and stood at 1.43%.
The share of FTTH/B in the total fixed broadband subscriptions continued to increase and stood at 65.7%. Cable broadband connections followed with a 16.3% share, while ADSL fell to 8.8 and FTTx to 6.8%.
The highest FTTH/B broadband subscriber growth rates in Q4 2022 were in Germany, Peru, Argentina, India, and UK.
East Asia dominates the market with a 49.10% share of global fixed broadband subscribers, mainly due to China’s market size, and the region’s net adds share of 61.52% suggests it is still expanding (Figures 2 and 3). Other Asian regions hold a 10.82% market share, with a 13.79% net adds share, also indicating robust growth. Eastern Europe's market share is 5.26% with a 3.69% net adds share, while the other European regions have a 13.58% market share and a 4.17% net adds share. North America's market share is at 10.67%, with a net adds share of 4.23%. Other American regions (Latin America) have an 8.04% market share, but a notably higher net adds share of 9.50%, pointing to a faster growth rate in these less mature markets.
Africa's market share of fixed broadband subscribers stands at a modest 1.75%, and its net adds share is second lowest at 3.15%, indicating a modestly growing interest in fixed broadband services. Lastly, Oceania's market share is 0.77%, but with a negative net adds share of -0.05%, it is experiencing a decline in fixed broadband subscribers.
Compared to Q3 2022, East Asia and Asia Other have seen their net adds shares decrease by 3% and 1% respectively, as a result of Europe, Americas and Africa recording higher net adds this quarter. Overall, the data reveals a dynamic landscape for fixed broadband subscribers with still substantial growth in Asian regions and promising expansion in Latin American markets, especially Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Colombia.
The complete dataset of the fixed broadband take-up forecast to end-2022 by country and region is available to subscribers of our Global Broadband Statistics service.
BDUK Project Gigabit Update
On 11 April, BDUK announced that it had awarded Wessex Internet their second local contract (Lot 27.01) to cover 10,500 premises in the New Forest (Hampshire). The three year contract is worth nearly £14 million and Wessex Internet will be rolling out to communities around the New Forest including Brockenhurst, Burley, Beaulieu, Godshill, Hordle and Sway. Construction is due to commence by the end of this year with the first properties due to go live by February 2024.
On 12 April, Borderlink, trading as GoFibre, began construction on the £6.6m contract which awarded in autumn 2022. The rollout will cover 4,000 premises and will take place until 2025 with homes and businesses across Middleton-in-Teesdale, Barnard Castle, Gainford, West Auckland and neighbouring communities able to access gigabit-capable broadband from as early as late September.
Other key telecoms sector news items from the month can be found below.
BT Group News
Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) News
CityFibre (CF) News
Independent Operators (AltNets) News
Other News
If you are a subscriber to UK Plus, sign-in here to access our UK Plus content where you can view our updated Q1 2023 profiles of the UK’s leading internet service providers, as well as our annual overview of the country’s broadband market.
Please get in touch if you would like to find out more about UK Plus or these particular publications.
[1] It is possible there will be restatements in the coming quarter/s and single period data should be viewed in that light.