UK choosing mobile over Wi-Fi

Britons are choosing mobile broadband over Wi-Fi hotspots to access the internet while outside of the home or work, according to a recent survey.

The study by Point Topic found that mobile phone companies have increased their share of the "on-the-move" internet market to 47 per cent, compared with 42 per cent who use Wi-Fi.

This was a change from the previous year when the Wi-Fi was ahead by a 40 to 30 ratio.

Point Topic believes both technologies have advantages, with mobile better in terms of coverage but Wi-Fi having a larger capacity and lower costs.

"So we see dual-mode operation, with mobile broadband users defaulting to Wi-Fi where it's available, as the way of the future," said Point Topic's chief analyst, Tim Johnson.

Meanwhile, Carphone Warehouse has been in trouble with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over its broadband company TalkTalk.

An advert claimed that the connection would be free for anyone getting a landline from the company, but failed to mention this was only for people in areas serviced by its LLU network.

The company has been told to stop showing the advert.