Report: A Quarter of Broadband Homes to Be Mobile-Only by 2013

Fixed operators need to come up with strategies for dealing with a rapid and invasive expansion of mobile broadband into their core growth area, consumer broadband, according to a report, "Mobile broadband: another substitution threat for fixed operators?," published by Analysys Mason.

The report forecasts that by 2013, 47 percent of European broadband subscriptions will use mobile networks, and nearly a quarter of broadband-equipped sites will use mobile-only. The speed of takeup of broadband via mobile USB modems has surprised many in the fixed broadband business - and, indeed, the mobile business - and the early indications are that consumers in Europe are using mobile broadband as a substitute for fixed. DSL subscriber net additions are drying up, and headline prices for mobile broadband are frequently lower than those for DSL.