Brussels, 14/10/2009 (Agence Europe) - The number of subscriptions to a broadband internet connection has now reached 20.8 million, said Cable Europe after a meeting, in Brussels on 13 October, between the managing director of its member organisations and Commissioner Viviane Reding, who is responsible for telecommunications issues. This represents an increase of 2.6 million compared to the figures presented at the March congress of the cable operators' association, when it presented statistics for the whole of the year 2008. "Our meetings today signify commitment from both the business community and the policy community to work together towards a common goal of broadband rollout across the EU", stressed the managing director of Cable Europe, Manuel Kohnstamm, after the meeting. The cable operators have also reported a growth in employment in the cable industry, which currently employs 84,000 people. In five years, the total number of employees in the sector has risen by 43%, says Cable Europe, which talked of stable jobs. The association also discussed subjects close to the commissioner's heart, which she wishes to go into in greater depth in over the next few months: the cable operators' investments in new-generation networks, an effective copyright authorisation system to simplify costs and boost the legal range of digital content available, and renewing state aid to promote broadband. (I.L./transl.fl)