Mobile broadband users in Europe could reach 94 million by 2017

There could be 94 million people using VoIP hardware over mobilebroadband connections across Europe by 2017, according to new research.

Figures from Coda Research Consultancy suggest the uptake of mobilebroadband is to expand significantly, potentially changing business practices as more people have the option of working from home rather than heading into the office.

Global mobilebroadband connectivity is forecast to reach almost 420 million over the same timeframe as the flexibility of the technology appeals to more people.

Steve Smith, founder of Coda Research, said: "With enormous growth in traffic and considerable decline in average revenue per user, operators will need to be ruthlessly efficient."

Mobile technology is already becoming more popular in the UK, although connection speeds are generally slower than the fixed-line alternative.

Services may be used to achieve the government's universal connectivity plans by 2012, as installing mobile technology may be cheaper than developing fixed-line networks in rural areas that are a long way from telephone exchanges.