ABI claims fibre broadband subscriptions will double by 2016

The global number of fibre optic broadband subscribers will more than double over the next five years, according to ABI Research.

A study from the analyst claimed the customer base of the technology will reach 142 million in 2016, up from 69.6 million this year.

As well as offering increased speeds to residents and businesses, rolling out fibre broadband will drive the uptake of bandwidth-heavy applications such as internet protocol TV and video on demand, ABI claimed.

Particularly strong growth has been seen in Asia Pacific, with around 17 million Chinese consumers signing up since the second quarter of 2010.

Khin Sandi Lynn, research analyst at the organisation, commented: "The Asia Pacific broadband market is sure to continue growing in the medium term since low broadband penetration ... leaves plenty of room for broadband growth."

Last month, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development published new research showing that fibre broadband now constitutes 12.3 per cent of all fixed-line connections.