Wireless broadband subscriptions top half a billion in OECD

Fixed broadband is at its lowest growth rate

Wireless broadband subscriptions in OECD countries topped half a billion by the end of 2010, an increase of more than ten per cent in just six months.

This is according to the latest OECD statistics, called Communications Outlook 2011, which indicate that the growing popularity of smartphones and tablets is driving growth in mobile broadband services.

The results are a stark contrast to fixed broadband subscriptions, which saw its lowest growth figure for more than a decade.

Fixed broadband subscriptions grew only six per cent year on year and totalled 300 million.

The OECD suggests that cheap, flat-rate mobile data plans are fuelling the growth in mobile broadband, and the communications sector has emerged from the financial crisis with a "resilience and underlying growth that reflects its role in the global economy".

The UK did not perform particularly well in the OECD rankings, appearing mid-table for wireless broadband subscriptions with 36.9 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.

This compares to Korea's winning performance with 89.8 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants, and the US with 53.5 subscriptions.

The UK did, however, appear higher up in the fixed broadband subscription tables, ranking 9th out of the 34 OECD countries with 31.9 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.

The Netherlands came top of the fixed broadband table with 38.1 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants.

The OECD is an international organisation of 34 countries that aims to stimulate economic growth and promote world trade.