FTTH on the rise at ADSL expense globally

Stan Beer
Thursday, 09 July 2009 11:10

Business IT - Technology

In Asia-Pacific the move to FTTH/B will be even more pronounced, says Ovum,with FTTH/B connections overtaking DSL to be the leading technology in 2014.

However, Ovum believes it’s not all bad news for DSL vendors

Although worldwide growth will come to a standstill, there will still be over 360 million DSL lines (including business lines) in operation in 2014, with maintenance contracts running for many years to come beyond that. In Asia-Pacific however DSL connections peak in 2011.

According to Ovum, the rise of mobile broadband will also apply pressure to the DSL market.

By the end of 2014 worldwide consumer fixed broadband penetration will have reached only 34% of households, according to Ovum.

A large percentage of remaining households will not have a fixed line, and with mobile broadband devices and services becoming more readily available and affordable they may not get one.

Mobile broadband has in effect set a lower ceiling for fixed broadband than what would have been predicted only 12 months ago, according to Ovum. Whether this ceiling is permanent or not is yet to be seen.