It is difficult to predict the future growth of broadband services across the world, according to a new report.

The study by Point Topic found that an increasing number of factors are affecting take-up, including availability, cost, competition, regulation and other economic issues.

However, the research also revealed that as times goes on, the growth in availability of services is being driven more by the desire of people and governments rather than financial issues.

In the same report, the company said that broadband growth needs to average five per cent annually if all households in the world are to be online by 2040.

Earlier this month, Point Topic revealed that there are now 445 million broadband connections in use worldwide.

Broadband growth in western Europe was also found to have risen by 9.96 per cent in the second quarter of 2009 compared to 12 months earlier.