Mobile broadband to reach 772 million lines by 2014

The quantity of mobilebroadband connections for business customers will surpass 722 million by 2014, new research claims.

According to a study by Juniper Research, the number of companies utilising mobile internet technology will grow by almost 60 per cent in the next five years.

Around 80 per cent of business mobilebroadband connections will be via 3.5 or 3.9G networks, enabling a greater flow of data and advanced content.

Moreover, laptops used with embedded or plug-in wireless dongles will grow considerably in popularity at the expense of desktop terminals.

The report's author Andrew Kitson said: "Businesses are placing less emphasis on desktop machines and [instead] investing in combined laptop and phone packages for employees.

"As 3G networks proliferate, so it will become more cost-effective to replicate the desktop solution with a wireless device."

In related news, a study by analysis firm Gartner has revealed that demand for mobile VoIP is beginning to challenge the traditional voice services from operators.