Cable serving 20m broadband customers

The launch of high-speed internet services through EuroDOCSIS 3 has pushed the number of broadband subscriptions held with European cable operators up to 20.8 million.

The figures were announced by Cable Europe following a day of policy meetings in Brussels between CEOs and Viviane Reding, European Commissioner for Information Society and Media. They represent a 2.6 million increase on the end-2008 figures announced at the Cable Congress in March.

“Our meetings today signify commitment from both the business community and the policy community to work together towards the common goal of broadband rollout across the EU,” said Cable Europe President, Manuel Kohnstamm. “After working with a Commissioner who places a premium on EU consumer connectivity, delivering on a common goal to boost connectivity for EU consumers is certainly a positive way to kick off such meetings.”

According to a recent report commissioned by the trade body, the European cable industry employed around 84,000 people by the end of 2008, a 43% increase over the last five years. Caroline van Weede, Cable Europe’s managing director explained that when suppliers and broadcasters are included the numbers climb to 178,000 jobs. “These aren’t jobs that get off shored – they ‘re sustainable given the local nature of cable and its next generation networks,” she said.

Under discussion in Brussels was the investment by cable in Next Generation networks and the renewal of state aid for broadband.