The number of IPTV subscribers worldwide reached 26.9mn by the end of June, giving a growth of 11% year-on-year, according to the latest figures from pan-industry organisation the Broadband Forum.

Europe had 13.631mn IPTV subscribers by the end of June, up 51% year-on-year, and accounted for 51% of the worldwide total.  In the second quarter of 2009, there was a "healthy" 6% growth in the number of IPTV subscribers in Western Europe - where France is described as remaining the top country with more than 7mn subscribers - and 12% in Eastern Europe, where new services in countries such as Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Russia are in demand.

IPTV subscriptions per territory in thousands

Source: Data provided for the Broadband Forum by Point Topic

The number of broadband subscribers worldwide grew by 12.9mn lines in the second quarter of this year to reach 445mn.  The number of broadband subscribers in Europe grew 13% in the 12 months to June 2009 to reach 135mn, which included an "impressive" growth of 29% in the Eastern European territories, according to the research.  Europe is named as being the second-largest broadband region in the world, and holds four of the top ten country spots.

Top ten broadband countries

Source: Data provided for the Broadband Forum by Point Topic

In terms of technology, fibre and wireless broadband continue to gain access technology market share, with consumer demand for IPTV services appearing to drive the roll-out of higher-bandwidth options, according to the report.

“This report shows that, while broadband adoption is not immune from the state of the world economy, the technology continues to move forward and I believe this year has shown that broadband expansion is not limited to the top industrialised countries, but is a key factor in assisting developing nations to gain a foothold in today's tough market,” said George Dobrowski, Chairman and President of the Broadband Forum.