Data: Global fixed broadband subs near 1.6bn
August 17, 2026



Global fixed broadband subscribers reached 1.591 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 1.06 per cent on the previous quarter and 4.15 per cent year-on-year, according to data from Point Topic. Growth returned to something closer to the pace seen through most of 2025, following a sharp slowdown to 0.46 per cent in Q4 2025. The rebound was concentrated in South and East Asia, which supplied 62.6 per cent of the quarter’s net additions, largely because China’s subscriber base grew again after contracting in the previous quarter. India remained the fastest-growing large market by some distance, adding 5.91 per cent quarter-on-quarter and 28.33 per cent year-on-year. Fibre extended its lead over other technologies, edging past 73.9 per cent of global subscribers, while cable, copper and partial-fibre connections all continued to contract.

Key points:


• Global subscribers: 1.591 billion, +1.06 per cent quarter-on-quarter, +4.15 per cent year-on-year — a rebound from Q4 2025’s 0.46 per cent slowdown.

• South and East Asia accounted for 62.6 per cent of net adds this quarter, driven mainly by China’s return to growth (+0.89 per cent QoQ) after a Q4 decline.

• India (+5.91 per cent QoQ, +28.33 per cent YoY) and Argentina (+4.71 per cent QoQ, +12.5 per cent YoY) were the standout large-market growers.

• Fibre (FTTP) reached 73.93 per cent share of global subscribers, up 0.6 percentage points on the quarter, while cable, copper and FTTx all lost share. Several US operators stopped reporting legacy copper subscriber figures.

• Wireless (mainly FWA) and satellite subscribers grew fastest of all technologies in percentage terms (+6.61 per cent and +11.02 per cent QoQ respectively), though both remain a small fraction of the global base.