Research has suggested that demand for broadband services in Europe remains high despite the recession.

The study by the European Commission revealed that 24 per cent of the continent's population had a broadband access line subscription in July 2009, which is an increase from 21.6 per cent 12 months earlier.

It also found that mobile broadband penetration now stands at a rate of 4.2 per cent per 100 citizens, while 80 per cent of internet connections in the European Union (EU) have download speeds of 2Mb or greater.

Viviane Reding, EU Telecoms Commissioner, said the continent is home to a "very dynamic broadband market".

She added: "Europe is clearly ready to make the next decade thoroughly digital."

Recent global research published by the GSM Association found that the rate of growth in mobile broadband services has risen by nearly two-thirds in the past 12 months.

Over nine million new HSPA connections are coming into use every month across the world, it was suggested.