Analyst firm Point Topic has released its latest World Broadband Statistics Q2-2011 report, which reveals that the total number of global broadband internet access subscribers has grown by 2.69% during Q2 to reach 543.19 million (+12% year-on-year). This represents a slight reduction in the rate of growth from 2.9% added during Q1-2011.

Worldwide broadband population penetration was 9.6% in Q2, up from 9.4% during Q1. Of the households tracked, about 35% had broadband access in the same quarter, which is up from 34.5% in the previous quarter.


As for internet access technology, DSL ( ADSL etc. ) services continue to be the most popular method of getting online with a market share of 62.67% (down from 63.18% in Q1). Cable Modem ( DOCSIS ) based operators, such as Virgin Media UK, come in second with 19.87% (down from 20% in Q1).

The new generation of fibre optic ( FTTH , FTTC etc. ) based superfast broadband ISP services, which saw their market share hit 14.74% (up from 14.10% in Q1), appear to still be cannibalising DSL and Cable Modem customers. It's worth pointing out that "other technologies", such as Fixed Wireless Access (FWA), Satellite and Powerline, account for just 2.72% of the overall market.