Research has shown that the number of fixed-line broadband subscribers across the globe is expected to reach 501 million by 2014.

The report from ABI Research said that around 106 million of that total will be subscribing to fibre-optic broadband services.

Figures have shown that at the end of last year there were an estimated 422 million broadband subscribers worldwide - with 44 million receiving a fibre-optic broadband based service.

There are currently three main fixed-line broadband technologies. More than half of people (65%) log-on through DSL broadband (provided via copper home phone lines); with a quarter using cable broadband to get online; and 10% accessing the internet through fibre-optic broadband.

However, the fibre optic broadband market is developing quickly with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20% from 2008 to 2014. Presently, nearly 84% of the world's subscribers are in the Asia-Pacific region.

At the end of 2009, there were only 2 million fibre broadband customers in Western Europe.

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