Broadband subscriptions to hit 536 million

Broadband is set to continue its worldwide spread with home-based subscriptions predicted to reach 536 million by 2011, according to a new report.

Such high-speed connections make VoIP calls much more reliable due to the increased bandwidth available.

While half of the subscriptions will be for ADSL lines, the researcher Strategy Analytics suggested the bulk of the growth will come from the rapid expansion of Wi-Fi networks and even-faster fibre optic lines.

David Mercer, vice president of the Strategy Analytics Digital Consumer Practice, predicted: "Fibre-to-the-home will eventually provide the ultimate broadband experience for many users, including high definition TV and lightning-fast interactive web-based services."

The UK was previously thought to be missing out on fibre optic lines in its broadband network due to the cost of installing it, but telecoms giant BT is reportedly rethinking its position.

Departing chairman Sir Christoper Bland recently told the Financial Times that thinking on the issue has progressed "quite far" and said that installing the fibre optic lines was a "more likely development going forward".