A new study shows more than one-fifth of people accessing the web have done so with a mobile phone and one in 10 regularly get online via a 'dongle' or data card connected to a laptop.

Of those, a third connect their computers to the internet solely through the mobile network.

The survey, carried out by polling firm YouGov, found that the mobile internet is most popular among younger users such as students and other "highly mobile" people.

Mobile broadband suits surfers who don't want to be tied into a fixed-line contract. As prices for the service have dropped and connection speeds have increased, its popularity has grown.

"The mobile broadband market is a gold-rush at present," said Marek Vaygelt of YouGov.

However, like many fixed-line customers, mobile surfers are not entirely satisfied with their service. Only one quarter of those with mobile broadband deals gave their providers a rating of eight out of 10 or higher.

For an in-depth analysis of mobile broadband don't miss Issue 190 of Web User, on sale from Thursday 19 June.

www.yougov.com

Back to index