Half of Global Fixed Lines Support Internet Access

In 2017, about half of all fixed network lines globally supported voice. The other half (the growing half) consisted of internet access lines, according to International Telecommunications Union data.

Fixed Network Lines, Voice and Broadband, Lines in Millions
	2014	2015	2016	2017*
Fixed-telephone subscriptions
Developed	503	490	479	471
Developing	592	556	524	500
World	1,095	1,046	1,004	972
LDCs	9	8	9	9
Fixed broadband subscriptions
Developed	354	370	382	392
Developing	377	472	535	588
World	731	842	917	979
LDCs	5	7	8	10
Total Lines
Developed	857	860	861	863
Developing	969	1028	1059	1088
World	1,826	1,888	1,921	1951
LDCs	14	15	17	19
Percentage Broadband Lines
Developed	41%	43%	44%	45%
Developing	39%	46%	51%	54%
World	40%	45%	48%	50%
LDCs	36%	47%	47%	53%

source: ITU

That illustrates one key facet of fixed network business models: increasingly, the fixed network is a platform for internet access, less so voice. The other trend is that more of the value of the fixed network is being generated by a range of data services including wholesale and retail lines, as well as services for enterprises.

source: TRAI

source: TRAI

source: TRAI