Mobile broadband surges to new heights

Some 200,000 new mobile broadband connections are being set up every month

Broadband providers TalkTalk and Sky are missing out on potentially huge revenues by failing to predict the unprecedented rise in popularity of mobile broadband offerings, according to research by price comparison site Top 10 Broadband released today.

Industry estimates suggest that 200,000 new mobile broadband connections are being set up every month, and Top 10 Broadband predicts that £36m a month is up for grabs for UK internet service providers that have a mobile offering.

The company said that, although the home broadband market is growing, the rate of growth in the mobile market is much faster.

Mobile broadband accounted for 32 per cent of sales through Top 10 Broadband in October 2008, rising to more than 50 per cent in January 2009, according to the firm. In January 2008, by comparison, mobile broadband accounted for just 10 per cent of the site's sales.

"TalkTalk and Sky must look into ways of offering mobile broadband either as a standalone product or as part of a bundled deal. Failing to do so would amount to commercial suicide," said Jessica McArdle, marketing manager at Top 10 Broadband.