Speeds up and prices down, report shows

Mobile broadband customers considering switching provider in the UK in a bid to ensure a better deal could be among those encouraged by the findings of a recent report.

Data released by market researcher Analysys Mason has revealed that mobile broadband prices are falling.

At the same time, the organisation reported that connection speeds are improving.

This means that internet customers currently comparing the market could notice a range of deals, which offer faster speeds than their current provider for less money.

According to the figures, average broadband pricing across the US and Europe reduced by €5 (£4.12) per month over the last year.

At the same time, broadband speeds went up by an average of 20 per cent.

Martin Scott, senior analyst at Analysys Mason, said: "Almost 20 per cent of the tariffs we tracked during the second quarter of 2010 offered down-stream bandwidths of 30Mbps or greater although the proportion of subscribers that actually take these ultra-fast services is likely to be much lower than 20 per cent.

"Consequently, the average price per Mbps per month has declined from €7.5 in the fourth quarter of 2009 to just €5.8 in the second quarter."

Publication of the report follows an announcement from mobile broadband provider T-Mobile that it is to reduce the cost of its dongles.

The firm has slashed the price of its MBB 610 dongle from £19.99 to just £8.99.

Customer tempted by the deal will also benefit from a special promotion offering customers free mobile broadband access for one month when they sign up for one day's use on T-Mobiles pay-as-you-go service for just £2.