More than 17 million new broadband connections were added across the world during the third quarter of 2011, according to new research from Point Topic.

Figures compiled by the analyst on behalf of the Broadband Forum showed consumers signed up for 17.4 million new lines during the three-month period, bringing the total number of subscriptions to 581.3 million.

This result, which represents quarter-on-quarter growth of more than three per cent and an annual rise of 12.89 per cent, means the industry performed stronger from July to September last year than at any time since 2009.

Fibre optic broadband services performed strongest over the period, with fibre-to-the-home and so-called hybrid technologies such as fibre-to-the-cabinet each delivering growth of over eight per cent.

In contrast, the number of DSL connections rose by two per cent during the quarter, although it continues to be the most dominant form of broadband technology, adding more lines in total than any other service.

Commenting on the figures, Point Topic chief executive Oliver Johnson predicted hybrid fibre-based broadband will enjoy the greatest uptake over the next few years.

"Consumers are showing signs of being ready to pay for faster connections and the hybrid solution set is a cost-effective way of getting relatively high speeds to them," he explained.

Robin Mersh, chief executive of the Broadband Forum, added the third-quarter results are "very healthy".

"We are especially pleased to see the trend in fibre technologies beginning to take off," he commented.

Last June, the Broadband Forum revealed 15.2 million subscribers signed up for new connections in the first three months of 2011 - a result that represented the biggest quarterly increase for two years.

At the time, Mr Mersh said the strong performance was evidence of how important broadband access has become to businesses, residential customers and countries as a whole.

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