Mobile operator and ISP O2 UK ( Be Broadband ) has released its latest Q2-2011 financial results to the end of June 2011 and revealed that it lost -16,300 broadband subscribers during the quarter, which cut its total from 669,200 in Q1 to 652,900 now. This represents a much sharper and more worrying decline than the -2,400 lost during Q1-2011.

Despite all this O2 remains extremely well rated for the quality of its broadband internet access services. It also continues to receive awards from major satisfaction surveys. However, earlier price hikes and the ISPs lack of competing superfast broadband products, which both BT and Virgin Media now have, could be eating into their share.

At least O2 can take solace in the fact that it's not alone, with TalkTalk , Orange and surprisingly even Virgin Media suffering similar falls. Part of that could be attributed to the end of the school year, with students moving elsewhere, but the situation has rarely been this bad for so many ISPs.