GITNUXREPORT 2025

Broadband Industry Statistics

Global broadband subscriptions reach 1.33 billion, with Asia leading growth in 2023.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Globally, there are over 1.33 billion fixed broadband subscriptions as of 2023

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The average global broadband download speed in 2023 is approximately 60 Mbps

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Asia accounts for more than 50% of global broadband subscriptions

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Mobile broadband subscriptions exceed 8 billion globally in 2023

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The average household broadband speed in the US is approximately 200 Mbps in 2023

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The average cost of broadband services in rural areas is 50% higher than in urban areas globally

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The United States had approximately 118 million fixed broadband subscriptions in 2023

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Asia Pacific accounts for 57% of global mobile broadband subscriptions

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The number of broadband subscriptions using fixed wireless access is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14% through 2028

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The average data consumption per broadband user globally increased to 400 GB/month in 2023

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In Africa, broadband subscriptions reached over 100 million in 2023, representing a penetration rate of 12%

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Broadband adoption in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) increased by 15% in 2023

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The proportion of broadband households subscribing to gigabit-speed plans increased by 35% in 2023

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Asia represents nearly 60% of the global fiber broadband market share

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Digital income from broadband services globally reached nearly $430 billion in 2023

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Approximately 41% of internet traffic is now via mobile broadband

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In Latin America, broadband penetration increased from 40% in 2018 to 58% in 2023

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The average price for broadband in emerging markets is approximately $15 per month, significantly lower than in developed markets

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The number of 1Gbps broadband subscriptions grew by 40% in 2023

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The global broadband subscriber base has grown by approximately 5% annually over the past five years

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In the US, rural broadband coverage has increased by 15% over the past three years

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The average broadband usage per person in North America is about 320 GB/month in 2023

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The global number of active broadband subscriptions using satellite technology increased by 18% in 2023

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Worldwide, approximately 63% of internet traffic is video-based, often requiring high broadband speeds

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In 2023, the adoption rate of broadband-connected IoT devices averaged 55 devices per household globally

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The throughput per user in broadband networks has doubled since 2019, reaching an average of 120 Mbps in 2023

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The annual global revenue from broadband services is projected to reach $380 billion by 2025

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Broadband internet in public hotspots increased by 25% in usage in 2023, driven by increased mobility and urbanization

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The global annual investment in broadband infrastructure was estimated at $100 billion in 2023

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The number of fiber-optic broadband subscriptions worldwide surpassed 1 billion in 2023

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The penetration of 5G networks in global mobile subscriptions reached 22% in 2023

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In 2023, the fastest average broadband speeds are observed in South Korea at over 300 Mbps

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About 66% of households in OECD countries have access to fiber broadband

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The global market for broadband equipment was valued at $50 billion in 2023

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The average latency for broadband connections globally is around 20 milliseconds

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Fiber-optic broadband deployment is accelerating at a pace of 20% annually worldwide

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The deployment of 10Gbps broadband services in urban centers increased by 25% in 2023

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The number of broadband infrastructure projects worldwide increased by 22% in 2023

Statistic 39

The deployment of broadband infrastructure in remote areas increased by 30% in 2023 due to government initiatives

Statistic 40

The number of Telco operators investing in broadband fiber networks is projected to grow at 12% CAGR through 2028

Statistic 41

The majority of broadband infrastructure investments in 2023 focused on upgrading existing networks to fiber optics, with 70% of new investments directed accordingly

Statistic 42

The average broadband speed in India increased from 20 Mbps in 2019 to over 50 Mbps in 2023

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The cost of deploying broadband infrastructure in developing countries is approximately 30% lower per km than in developed countries due to cheaper labor and materials

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The global broadband penetration rate reached 73.7% in 2023

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In 2023, North America has the highest broadband penetration rate at over 93%

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58% of the world's population had access to the internet via broadband in 2023

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Europe’s broadband penetration rate reached 89% in 2023

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The global average broadband penetration rate is projected to reach 80% by 2025

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Digital divides persist with approximately 37% of rural populations lacking access to reliable broadband as of 2023

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The share of households in developing countries with broadband access grew from 20% in 2017 to 40% in 2023

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The global number of broadband internet users is forecasted to reach 4.7 billion in 2024

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The number of households globally with broadband access is expected to reach 2.9 billion by 2025

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The global internet filtering and censorship practices affect around 32% of internet users worldwide, impacting broadband access

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Nearly 90% of urban households worldwide have access to broadband, compared to less than 50% in rural areas

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The number of global broadband internet subscriptions for underserved populations grew by 10 million in 2023

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Wi-Fi 6 adoption in broadband routers jumped from 12% in 2022 to 28% in 2023

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The average energy consumption of broadband infrastructure is decreasing by 2% annually due to technological improvements

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Sources

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Key Highlights

Globally, there are over 1.33 billion fixed broadband subscriptions as of 2023
The global broadband penetration rate reached 73.7% in 2023
The average global broadband download speed in 2023 is approximately 60 Mbps
Asia accounts for more than 50% of global broadband subscriptions
The number of fiber-optic broadband subscriptions worldwide surpassed 1 billion in 2023
In 2023, North America has the highest broadband penetration rate at over 93%
Mobile broadband subscriptions exceed 8 billion globally in 2023
58% of the world's population had access to the internet via broadband in 2023
The average household broadband speed in the US is approximately 200 Mbps in 2023
The global annual investment in broadband infrastructure was estimated at $100 billion in 2023
Europe’s broadband penetration rate reached 89% in 2023
The penetration of 5G networks in global mobile subscriptions reached 22% in 2023
The average cost of broadband services in rural areas is 50% higher than in urban areas globally

The broadband industry is experiencing unprecedented growth and innovation in 2023, with over 1.33 billion fixed subscriptions worldwide, a surge in fiber optics and gigabit speeds, and ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide across urban and rural areas globally.

Broadband Market and Usage Statistics

Globally, there are over 1.33 billion fixed broadband subscriptions as of 2023
The average global broadband download speed in 2023 is approximately 60 Mbps
Asia accounts for more than 50% of global broadband subscriptions
Mobile broadband subscriptions exceed 8 billion globally in 2023
The average household broadband speed in the US is approximately 200 Mbps in 2023
The average cost of broadband services in rural areas is 50% higher than in urban areas globally
The United States had approximately 118 million fixed broadband subscriptions in 2023
Asia Pacific accounts for 57% of global mobile broadband subscriptions
The number of broadband subscriptions using fixed wireless access is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14% through 2028
The average data consumption per broadband user globally increased to 400 GB/month in 2023
In Africa, broadband subscriptions reached over 100 million in 2023, representing a penetration rate of 12%
Broadband adoption in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) increased by 15% in 2023
The proportion of broadband households subscribing to gigabit-speed plans increased by 35% in 2023
Asia represents nearly 60% of the global fiber broadband market share
Digital income from broadband services globally reached nearly $430 billion in 2023
Approximately 41% of internet traffic is now via mobile broadband
In Latin America, broadband penetration increased from 40% in 2018 to 58% in 2023
The average price for broadband in emerging markets is approximately $15 per month, significantly lower than in developed markets
The number of 1Gbps broadband subscriptions grew by 40% in 2023
The global broadband subscriber base has grown by approximately 5% annually over the past five years
In the US, rural broadband coverage has increased by 15% over the past three years
The average broadband usage per person in North America is about 320 GB/month in 2023
The global number of active broadband subscriptions using satellite technology increased by 18% in 2023
Worldwide, approximately 63% of internet traffic is video-based, often requiring high broadband speeds
In 2023, the adoption rate of broadband-connected IoT devices averaged 55 devices per household globally
The throughput per user in broadband networks has doubled since 2019, reaching an average of 120 Mbps in 2023
The annual global revenue from broadband services is projected to reach $380 billion by 2025
Broadband internet in public hotspots increased by 25% in usage in 2023, driven by increased mobility and urbanization

Broadband Market and Usage Statistics Interpretation

With over 1.33 billion fixed subscriptions and a global shift towards gigabit speeds—particularly in Asia, which commands over half of the market—it's clear that broadband is not just a utility but the backbone of our digital economy, even as rural areas grapple with higher prices and Africa's penetration remains modest; all while video streaming and IoT device adoption fuel an unstoppable rise in data consumption and infrastructure growth worldwide.

Economic Impact and Investment in Broadband

The global annual investment in broadband infrastructure was estimated at $100 billion in 2023

Economic Impact and Investment in Broadband Interpretation

With a staggering $100 billion poured into broadband infrastructure in 2023, the industry is clearly betting big on the promise of a more connected world—though it remains to be seen if this investment will close the digital divide or simply widen it.

Global Broadband Infrastructure and Deployment

The number of fiber-optic broadband subscriptions worldwide surpassed 1 billion in 2023
The penetration of 5G networks in global mobile subscriptions reached 22% in 2023
In 2023, the fastest average broadband speeds are observed in South Korea at over 300 Mbps
About 66% of households in OECD countries have access to fiber broadband
The global market for broadband equipment was valued at $50 billion in 2023
The average latency for broadband connections globally is around 20 milliseconds
Fiber-optic broadband deployment is accelerating at a pace of 20% annually worldwide
The deployment of 10Gbps broadband services in urban centers increased by 25% in 2023
The number of broadband infrastructure projects worldwide increased by 22% in 2023
The deployment of broadband infrastructure in remote areas increased by 30% in 2023 due to government initiatives
The number of Telco operators investing in broadband fiber networks is projected to grow at 12% CAGR through 2028
The majority of broadband infrastructure investments in 2023 focused on upgrading existing networks to fiber optics, with 70% of new investments directed accordingly
The average broadband speed in India increased from 20 Mbps in 2019 to over 50 Mbps in 2023
The cost of deploying broadband infrastructure in developing countries is approximately 30% lower per km than in developed countries due to cheaper labor and materials

Global Broadband Infrastructure and Deployment Interpretation

As global broadband speeds soar, fiber optics and 5G are rapidly transforming connectivity—bringing high-speed internet to over a billion subscriptions, narrowing urban-rural divides, and fueling a trillion-dollar industry, all while reminding us that in the race for faster, more pervasive networks, investment and innovation are truly the backbone of digital progress.

Global Internet Penetration and Accessibility

The global broadband penetration rate reached 73.7% in 2023
In 2023, North America has the highest broadband penetration rate at over 93%
58% of the world's population had access to the internet via broadband in 2023
Europe’s broadband penetration rate reached 89% in 2023
The global average broadband penetration rate is projected to reach 80% by 2025
Digital divides persist with approximately 37% of rural populations lacking access to reliable broadband as of 2023
The share of households in developing countries with broadband access grew from 20% in 2017 to 40% in 2023
The global number of broadband internet users is forecasted to reach 4.7 billion in 2024
The number of households globally with broadband access is expected to reach 2.9 billion by 2025
The global internet filtering and censorship practices affect around 32% of internet users worldwide, impacting broadband access
Nearly 90% of urban households worldwide have access to broadband, compared to less than 50% in rural areas
The number of global broadband internet subscriptions for underserved populations grew by 10 million in 2023

Global Internet Penetration and Accessibility Interpretation

Despite a global broadband penetration of 73.7% and North America's leading rate exceeding 93%, the digital divide persists, especially in rural areas where nearly 37% lack reliable access, revealing that while the internet's reach is expanding to 4.7 billion users by 2024, more than half the world's population remains on the fringes of the digital frontier.

Technological Advancements and Standards in Broadband

Wi-Fi 6 adoption in broadband routers jumped from 12% in 2022 to 28% in 2023
The average energy consumption of broadband infrastructure is decreasing by 2% annually due to technological improvements

Technological Advancements and Standards in Broadband Interpretation

As Wi-Fi 6 adoption more than doubles and energy efficiency advances steadily, the broadband industry is demonstrating that smarter, greener connections are swiftly becoming the new standard—connecting us faster, more efficiently, and with a greener footprint.