Consumers flock to mobile broadband connections

The number of consumers using mobile phone networks to connect to the internet via laptops will surge past one million by end of 2008, according to 3UK.

The mobile operator has stated that online traffic on its 3G network has soared 1400 per cent since launching its Broadband Plus package in December, which provides wireless internet connection from £10 a month as part of a 12-month contract and a one-off £49.99 USB modem fee.

3UK is facing competition from other mobile networks including Vodafone, Orange, O2 and T-Mobile as it strives to tempt consumers away from BT, Sky and other fixed-line operators.

The ‘dongles’ provide mobile broadband connections of up to 3.6Mb a second, which compare favourably with a UK fixed-line average of 2.95Mb recorded by Broadband Expert.

A report by Arthur D Little and Exane BNP has suggested half of all consumers in Europe will have mobile broadband access by 2012.

"Mobile broadband is proving a highly attractive option for UK consumers," said Pete Nuthall, analyst for European telecommunications at Forrester Research.

"However, I don't see it affecting the main fixed-line telecoms providers over the next two or three years."