The number of people subscribing to Orange broadband services has increased by over eight per cent during the first three months of this year.

According to figures from Orange's parent company France Telecom, the number of ADSL broadband customers stood at 13.2 million by March 31st.

This represents growth of 8.7 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2008.

Moreover, there was also an increase in the number of customers signing up for multi-service contracts, with digital TV proving particularly popular. Year-on-year this grew by 75 per cent to 2.5 million customers by the end of March.

Orange also experienced an increase in its mobile customer base, with an annual increase of 9.5 per cent to 122.9 million as the quarter came to a close.

The number of 3G broadband customers was 20.6 million customers at March 31st, up almost 80 per cent, while contract customers grew by nine per cent in the same period.

Together, these two factors helped drive Orange's total number of customers up 6.3 per cent year-on-year to 183.5 million in the 12-month period to March 31st, 2009.