According to recently released figures the number of consumers using fast mobile broadband on a global level has reached the fifty million mark

Over the past year mobile broadband has really come into its own, with soaring dongle and modem sales reflecting the increasing popularity of mobile broadband amongst businesses and consumers that are looking to enjoy the ease, flexibility, convenience, and mobility that this sort of service offers.
Officials from the global trade group for mobile broadband, the GMSA, have stated that global take up levels of fast mobile broadband HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) has now exceeded the fifty million mark. Just one year ago this figure stood at just eleven million. Industry officials have forecast that HSPA connections will be increasing by around four million a month by the end of this year.

Reports also show that there are now nearly two hundred operators that offer commercial HSPA networks, and there are well over seven hundred HSPA enables devices such as dongles, notebooks, and mobiles, which are available from over one hundred manufacturers.

An official from Vodafone, one of the UK’s mobile communications giants, commented on the figures, stating: “These figures pay testament to the growing power and appeal of mobile broadband, which is enabling customers to work and socialise in a range of innovative new ways. Vodafone continues to upgrade its 3G/HSPA networks to offer its customers an unparalleled mobile experience by increasing average network speeds and in turn deliver even greater flexibility and convenience.”

Officials from global providers also commented, with Kris Rinne, Senior Vice President of Architecture and Planning for AT&T stating: “AT&T offers the nation’s fastest 3G network — an achievement born from HSPA technology. Our network’s ability to provide simultaneous voice and data over HSPA allows for services like AT&T’s groundbreaking Video Share calling across our more than 305 major metropolitan areas where we have deployed 3G.”