By the end of 2006, the worldwide total of broadband lines reached 281.5 mln. A total of 17.7 mln lines were added over Q4 2006 which results in a 6.7% quarterly growth. The year-on-year growth during 2006 was 31.1%. In terms of penetration rate, the number of broadband line per 100 population reached 5.4 by the end of 2006. Although the figure is increasing, the actual quarterly growth in penetration has in fact been slowing down since Q4 2004 from 13.3% to 6.8% quarterly, in particularly in regions where broadband markets are relatively saturated (e.g. Asia-Pacific, North America), Point Topic says.