PCCW's goal is to become the biggest provider of broadband Internet service in Asia.

ECONOMIST: Asian telecoms

According to a 2010 survey by Parks Associates, more than 50 percent of Americans with Internet service look to their broadband provider as their first or second choice in solving their home computer-related technical issues.

FORBES: Anytime-Anywhere Streaming Sails Comcast To $30

Orange started offering broadband earlier this year after the company absorbed internet service provider Wanadoo - also owned by Orange's parent, France Telecom.

BBC: NEWS | Technology | Orange broadband hit by outages

Internet service provider Orange has knocked TalkTalk off the top position in Ofcom's broadband complaints chart.

BBC: Orange tops broadband complaints chart

To improve technology access, Microsoft also announced the deployment of a pilot project with the Kenyan Ministry of Information and Communications and Kenyan Internet service provider Indigo Telecom Ltd. to deliver low-cost, high-speed, wireless broadband and create new opportunities for commerce, education, healthcare and delivery of government services across Kenya.

ENGADGET: Microsoft launches 4Afrika initiative with Huawei W1 variant, TV white space broadband project

Ofcom has proposed reductions in the prices BT can charge internet service providers (ISPs) in parts of the country where BT is the sole provider of wholesale broadband services.

BBC: Rural UK could get cheaper broadband under Ofcom plans