The number of DSL subscribers worldwide grew by almost a third last year to reach nearly 185 million by the end of 2006.

Global broadband subscribers increased to more than 281 million, according to analyst firm Point Topic.

This meant that 67 million people subscribed to new broadband connections in 2006, almost two-thirds of whom selected DSL technology to deliver the service.

DSL remains by far the most popular broadband access technology worldwide with a 65.7 per cent market share.

The technology accounts for almost 88 per cent of all broadband subscribers in the Middle East and Africa - the fastest growing broadband region - and 81 per cent in the European Union.

The EU added more than 17.6 million DSL subscribers in the year to maintain its position as the world's number one broadband and DSL region.

Point Topic said that, of the other broadband access technologies, fibre-to-the-home or other close location services now deliver more than 10 per cent of broadband services across the world.

Less than one per cent of broadband is delivered by satellite, accounting for 784,750 subscribers.

In global terms, the US is the world's largest broadband market at more than 57 million subscribers.

China, the second largest market, is rapidly closing the gap and added 14.4 million broadband subscribers in 2006.