Mobile broadband European sales approach 11m

Sales of mobilebroadband devices approached 11 million throughout Europe in 2008, according to new research from Telecompaper.

The sales figures include a wide range of devices that provide mobile access to the internet, from PC cards and internal cellular modems through to dongles and ExpressCards and show a dramatic increase from just 4.3 million in 2007.

In addition, more than 60 per cent of current mobile subscribers are based in the UK, Italy and Germany.

Over 18 million people in Western Europe have a mobilebroadband subscription and may be enjoying more flexible access to VoIP solutions as well as remote working facilities.

Part of the reason for the surge in take-up of mobilebroadband could be the number of deals on the market that include free laptops equipped with the necessary hardware, while the flexibility offered by remote working is also attractive.

A recent survey from Citrix Online suggested that over 60 per cent of UK businesses are embracing remote working opportunities.