ABI reveals surge in fibre broadband popularity

Fibre optic broadband is the fastest growing part of the fixed-line internet connections market, according to a new study.

Conducted by ABI Research, the report said adoption of fibre broadband has been high because network operators are continuing to roll out the technology in response to demand from consumers and businesses.

An increasing number of end users are keen to access high-speed broadband due to the growing popularity of bandwidth-heavy online applications such as videogaming and internet TV, the organisation claimed.

The uptake of fibre optic broadband is also being driven by a surge in connected devices, ABI claimed, with households now able to get online via TVs and tablets, as well as laptops and PCs.

In January, Virgin Media announced it will double the bandwidth available to its fibre optic broadband customers in order to cope with the strain on connections caused by the rise in connected devices.

The rollout began in February and is set to last for 18 months.