It has been predicted by Futuresource Consulting, a research group that the broadband industry will break the 500 million mark next year. Moreover, it has also said that 60 per cent of the technology for broadband will be DSL, while a fifth of the population will still be getting by with cable systems.

Futuresource has envisioned that the world’s dependence on broadband technology will steadily increase in the future. The number of broadband connections in Africa and the Middle East will increase by a third by the next year. Major contribution for the world’s broadband explosion is expected from these two places. Meanwhile, developed countries are more likely to see a drop in the number of new connections, which will have an effect on the bigger picture.

India is a country to look out for as the market for broadband is expected to increase to almost 25 million there, according to Patrik Pfandler, Senior Market Analyst. He added that even though the country has one of the lowest penetration rates right now, there is going to a five time increase in the market over the next four years.

According to Ofcom reports, the UK has a disappointing broadband speed of just 3.6Mb (click for a broadband comparison), whereas Japan and Korea are leading the world’s broadband speed race with an average speed of almost 30Mb. Clearly, the customers there are reaping the maximum benefits of broadband.