Demand for satellite broadband is steadily rising around the globe along with user expectations, it has been suggested.

According to a new report from Global Industry Analysts, which indicated that the technology's capability to viably serve "last mile" broadband customers outside of the standard coverage zones for ADSL or cable will see the worldwide satellite broadband market hit $6.4 billion (£3.9 billion) in 2015.

The research company explained that satellite broadband is ideally suited to provide services over wide geographical remits, with one device capable of providing coverage over entire continents.

By 2010, Global Industry Analysts predicted that there will be three million global subscribers to broadband satellite services, with Europe expected to enjoy the quickest rate in new subscribers between 2006 and 2015.

However, the analyst added: "Despite robust growth in capacity, satellite systems do not stand any chance against their terrestrial alternatives - fibre optics systems - in terms of capacity offered."

Earlier this month, satellite broadband provider Avanti Communications suggested that the technology will soon become cheap enough to be a viable means of delivering high-speed broadband to remote areas of the UK's countryside.