MUMBAI: With the increasing penetration of established broadband technologies like Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service and cable modem service, the number of worldwide broadband subscribers will double over the next five years, reports the US-headquartered research firm In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com).

By year-end 2010, worldwide broadband subscribers will reach 413 million, it says.

"There are several reasons behind the rapid growth in worldwide broadband subscribers, but the most important are the increasing availability of broadband services and the proliferation of new applications that rely on high-speed connections," says In-Stat analyst Mike Paxton. "Other drivers fueling subscriber growth include a gradual, but consistent, reduction in monthly service prices, and the beginnings of effective bundling strategies that link high-speed Internet service with video and telephony services."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

DSL remains the leading broadband access technology. On a worldwide basis, it currently accounts for 69 per cent of all broadband subscribers.

Based on current worldwide broadband growth rates, 3.7 million new subscribers will sign up for broadband services each month this year. In the US, 670,000 new subscribers every month are projected to sign up for broadband service.

According to In-Stat estimates, in late February 2006 the total number of worldwide broadband subscribers passed 200 million.