Demand for mobile broadband compatible notebooks set to soar

A growing number of European consumers will purchase notebook PCs that are capable of surfing the web, according to a new report.

Research from analyst firm Berg Insight indicates that the number of notebooks with HSPA/LTE mobile broadband connectivity will reach 49 million in 2013, a vast increase on the 8.4 million last year.

Tobias Ryberg, senior analyst, Berg Insight, warned that internet service providers (ISPs) will need to make significant network upgrades in order to keep up with growing demand.

He said: "In a few years, internet users will expect to be able to view full-HD streaming IPTV via their internet connection. Then it will not do to offer 14.4 Mbps which is actually 1 Mbps or unlimited data traffic which is in reality limited to a few gigabyte per month."

Earlier this week, broadband.co.uk claimed that web users experience a significantly slower service during peak times.