“The total number of fixed broadband connections reached 130 million in Q3 2010 from 129 million in Q2 2010,” reported Quantum-Web’s Head of Analytical Research, Qmars Safikhani. “Many EU markets are nearing saturation though growth rates are holding steady in certain countries.” 

On the operational side, EU markets saw modest growth overall in Q3 2010, with fixed broadband subscriptions rising by 1.1 million during the quarter. Growth is often slow in the third quarter because of the summer holiday period. 

Fixed broadband penetration of the population in the EU rose to 26.4% from 26.1% during Q3 2010. This increase of just 0.3 percentage points was below the average increase in broadband penetration for the previous nine quarters.

“Slow subscriber growth is particularly noticeable in Western Europe where penetration rates are already high, averaging 29% at the end of Q3 2010. However broadband growth, particularly xDSL, is expected to remain strong in Eastern European markets where fixed broadband penetration averaged 17% at the same time.” 

By contrast broadband speeds have risen rapidly. By the end of Q3 2010, nearly 30% of fixed broadband connections in EU markets had a minimum headline speed of 10 megabits per second (Mbps), an increase of 18% compared with end of Q3 2009.

The EU remains the world’s second-largest fixed broadband market after the Asia-Pacific region, followed by North America.” 

Qunatum-Web forecasts that the fixed broadband connections in the EU will exceed 136 million by the end of Q4 2011

On the financial side, fixed broadband ARPU for the ‘big five’ European incumbents grew during Q3 2010, according to Quantum-Web’s Quarterly Broadband Tracker. Operators are increasing the range of higher ARPU value added services such as bundled offers, and customers are adopting them rapidly.

ARPU values exclude line rental, non-recurring fees and VAT. 

For more information about the findings of this press release and the European Broadband Tariffs Database or Quarterly Broadband Tracker contact Qmars Safikhani, Head of Analytical Research at Quantum-Web +44 (0) 20 3286 9570 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.