Regulation crucial to broadband growth

Fastest-growing high-speed internet markets are driven by regulatory involvement, says research

Demand for TV content is driving broadband take-up

Regulatory involvement, infrastructure competition and price wars are the most significant factors shaping the world's fastest-growing broadband markets.

Broadband ISPs in Greece, Turkey, Ireland and Russia all offer cheap services relative to the average disposable income in order to make broadband attractive to greater proportions of the country, says research from analyst Ovum.

"Regulation surrounding broadband pricing is a major factor to consider in these regions, as is fixed line and PC penetration,” said Ovum analyst Coham.

At a time when broadband is quickly reaching saturation point in most developed markets, less developed markets across the globe continue to exhibit extremely high levels of growth.

“However, in many of these countries huge barriers still exist that could inevitably limit the broadband markets", said Coham.

Out of countries benchmarked Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the top 10 includes Greece, Philippines, Indonesia, India, Ukraine, Ireland, Thailand, Vietnam, Russia and Turkey.

"Wealth relative to the cost of broadband is a major consideration in most of these markets,” said Coham.

Demand for content is increasingly helping to fuel broadband growth, as operators incorporate TV and video-on-demand services into their offerings early on.