Global broadband subscribers are forecast to more than triple, from 216 million in 2005 to 749 million in 2012, according to IDATE.

In 2005, the biggest contributor was the Asia Pacific region, with 86 million subscribers. Europe and North America also made up 66 million and 53 million subscribers, respectively, SFN's World Digital Media Trends 2009 reported.

In 2012, the Asia Pacific is still expected to own the biggest chunk - with 339 subscribers, about half from China. Europe is forecast to contribute 191 million, with another 118 million from North America.

As of the end of 2008, DSL still dominated the broadband market, accounting for a 62 percent share. Cable modem and other broadband access technology each contributed 19 percent, according to the report, World Digital Media Trends 2009, released by SFN and the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers.