xDSL overtakes cable in Europe

DSL has overtaken cable as the most popular broadband technology in Europe, according to the latest research from Forrester.

Comparing the two technologies, it found that 56 per cent of broadband connections in Europe were based on xDSL, with cable making up the rest.

The reserach did not compare other broadband technologies such as satellite or wireless.

In total, analysts found that almost six per cent of people in Europe have broadband - up from four per cent six months ago.

According to the latest stats available from telecoms regulator Oftel, there were some 709,000 ADSL & cable modem lines in the UK at the end of June 2002.

However, Forrester estimates that the number of broadband users in the UK is more than two million.

Said Forrester analyst Paul Jackson: "With 56 percent of subscriptions, xDSL technologies have become the lead access mechanism for the first time. After a very slow start last year, we have seen a faster-than-expected ramp-up of high-speed services in the UK."

Despite this progress in the UK (it is now the second-largest broadband community in Europe don't you know) it still trails Germany which boasts some seven million broadband users. ®