Over 200 million people worldwide use DSL technology to access the internet, according to figures released yesterday at Broadband World Forum Asia in Beijing.

The stats, compiled by Point Topic, show a 29 per cent increase in DSL subscribers over the past 12 months. Globally, DSL remains by far the most popular broadband access technology and has held on to its market share of over 65 per cent, with subscriber numbers increasing by more than six per cent in the last quarter.

With over 37 million of the world's DSL subscribers, China is the largest provider of DSL-based services, representing 20 per cent of the global market for the technology. Subscribers in China rose by 11 per cent last quarter and DSL now accounts for 73 per cent of the country's broadband market.

Robin Mersh, chief operating officer of the DSL Forum, told Broadband World Forum Asia: "DSL is clearly the preferred method of delivering an efficient broadband service, particularly in China, and with the growing popularity of technologies such as IPTV we expect DSL subscriptions to continue to rise."

He said the DSL Forum is targeting improvements in speed, quality of experience for IPTV, VoIP and the emerging market of fixed mobile convergence.

The DSL Forum is a global organisation of more than 200 members dedicated to developing the full potential of DSL and other access technologies.

Copyright © 2007, ENN

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