There will be one billion fixed-line broadband connections across the world by 2015, according to research by Strategy Analytics.

While the analysts predicted that DSL connections will remain the dominant platform, it is thought that fibre optic broadband will become significantly more popular in the UK, with approximately a quarter of home broadband connections coming via fibre optic networks in five years' time.

Report author and Director of the Strategy Analytics multiplay market dynamics service Ben Piper said that global broadband growth in recent years has been "impressive".

However, he continued to say that despite this high level of anticipated growth, many households will remain without an internet connection for the foreseeable future.

"It is important to note that in 2010, more than 60 per cent of households worldwide have no access to the internet - much less broadband," he added.

A recent report from Pyramid Research highlighted that the global mobile broadband market is forecast to reach one billion connections in 2012.