DSL is gaining ground on cable in the U.S., according to a study that also projects strong gains for fiber and other types of broadband, eMarketer reports. Strategy Analytics forecasts that the number of broadband households in the U.S. will climb to 77.6 million by 2010, up from 34.1 million in 2004, with DSL and fiber comprising a larger percentage of the market every year.

Cable accounted for 62 percent of broadband users at the end of 2003, but it share fell to 59 percent by the end of 2004 and is predicted to fall further though 2005, to reach 57 percent. Meanwhile, DSL and fiber are forecast to make up 41 percent of the market, up from 39 percent in 2004.

Fiber and other types of broadband technology, such as satellite and fixed wireless, will grow steadily to make up over 10 percent of the market by 2010.The strongest growth for alternative technologies may not occur until 2008 or beyond.