Mobile broadband is more popular than using Wi-Fi hotspots, according to a survey by Point-Topic. The statistics show that the mobile networks in the UK managed to increase their share of Internet usage on the move up to 47%, just getting ahead of Wi-Fi usage which was at 42%.
| Mobile Operator | Market Share |
|---|---|
| O2 | 26% |
| Orange | 20% |
| Vodafone | 20% |
| T-Mobile | 14% |
| Three | 12% |
Although O2 top the tables of number of users, perhaps due to the success of the iPhone, Vodafone managed to just skip ahead with 24% against O2's 23% in the 'dongle' market which covers USB dongles and data cards used in laptops.
Perhaps one reason for the mobile networks overtaking Wi-Fi is the ability to get online from anywhere allowing you to catch up on news and e-mail, or check train times. Wi-Fi is often limited to a single location like a coffee shop and can work out expensive if you want to use it on a PAYG basis.
Next year, the picture may be a bit different amongst mobile operators. Virgin are set to embrace the mobile broadband market in time for Christmas which may introduce a bit of a shakeup and churn between providers as those with Virgin television or broadband services at home may be able to take advantage of a bundle to get services at a lower cost. If Wi-Fi operators don't start increasing coverage and reducing costs soon, services such as T-Mobile's new Pay per day mobile broadband starting at £2 for a day and £10 for 7 days, may start to entice more Wi-Fi users away. With BT Openzone Wi-Fi hotspots charging 20p a minute, or £10 a day on a pay as you go basis, it is easy to see why users are favouring mobile broadband.
Digg this
Add to del.icio.us
I'm surprised the gap isn't higher. In Westminster and City of London I've found the hotspots to be few and far between plus the speed of browsing the net from my iPhone with 3g is considerably faster than BTO and the cloud. I just received notification that this partnership is set to end 2nd October.