It has been revealed that many customers in the UK are using their Virgin mobile broadband service at home as well as when out and about, with some officials suggesting that consumers are starting to replace their fixed line service with mobile broadband services.

Mobile broadband has become a popular choice for consumers that need to be out and about, yet still need to be able to get online. Both business and leisure users enjoy the benefits of mobile broadband, but with speeds still not able to match the higher speed fixed line services most industry officials have said that mobile broadband is unlikely to be considered an alternative to fixed line for most people, but will be more of an add on service to complement their fixed line service.

However, a recent report has suggested that some people may now be thinking along the lines of replacing their fixed line broadband service with mobile broadband. It was found in a recent study carried out by a broadband industry group that nearly eighty percent of mobile broadband customers with communications giant Virgin Media were using their mobile broadband service mainly in the home rather than they were out and about, which meant that they were using the service in place of a fixed line service.

The research also showed that many Orange mobile broadband customers were using their mobile broadband service in the home, although not as many as with Virgin. One official said: “A fixed line broadband package will usually be the best option at home, but if you are a very light user who just checks emails daily and shops online from time to time, mobile broadband might be a good way to save some money.”

It is possible that the recession and ongoing difficult financial climate may be contributing to the decision of some customers to opt for just mobile broadband services rather than have fixed line broadband for the home and mobile broadband to use whilst out and about.

Source – Cable