Wealthy nations 'have wide access to broadband'

People living in wealthy countries are well placed to take advantage of IP telephony solutions as almost everyone has access to broadband technology, according to experts.

Figures released by industry analysts Point Topic reveal that the period between July and September last year saw the number of broadband connections around the world increase by 4.72 per cent, the Guardian reports.

Tim Johnson, founder and publisher of the firm, commented: "The rich countries have got broadband - there are none of them left behind any more."

Less well-off nations still have some way to go to match this level of access but Strategy Analytics believes that some nations are poised to see the number of broadband connections increase this year.

Ben Piper, director of broadband networks strategies service at the company, told the newspaper that he thought 27 per cent more connections would be established in the Asia-Pacific region in 2008 alone, predicting: "The upcoming year will mark an important milestone in broadband adoption."

This is likely to benefit firms using VoIP solutions as increasing international uptake of broadband means that more overseas customers will have access to cheap telephone calls, making it simpler to establish strong business relationships.