The popularity of mobile broadband is soaring, according to new figures from Orange.

Although this in itself isn't too much of a surprise - who doesn't love to log on to Facebook or Twitter on the move? - the extent to which the business world of making use of the technology is, quite frankly, astonishing.

The network's recent Business Index showed that usage of data on mobile gadgets has grown by an average of 150 per cent across Orange's entire business customer base.

Even better than that, small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) saw a massive 290 per cent jump in the amount of data being used on such devices.

Anthony Keyworth, director of products at the UK division of Orange - which has 131.8 million customers worldwide - commented on the figures by saying: "Without a doubt, 2009 was the year of mobile email. With more smartphones on the market than ever before, accessing email and browsing the web have never been simpler."

"In particular, small businesses have truly embraced smartphones to help them stay in touch, whether this is in the office, out with a client or on the way home."

He went on to add the flexibility provided by mobile broadband is vital to firms.

And regarding his expectations for the year ahead, Mr Keyworth stated while email makes up a large proportion of the total data usage, mobile applications will come to the fore much more over the next 12 months.

What do you think about the figures?

Are they surprising?

Categories: Wireless Broadband

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