UK demands internet at the beach and in the pub

 

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By Matthew Sparkes

Posted on 9 Jul 2008 at 08:31

One in five people want to access the internet when relaxing at the beach, while others claim that the pub is just not the same without Google and Facebook on hand.

The UK is becoming a nation of internet addicts, with nearly half believing they should be able to take the internet anywhere they go, according to a recent survey by T-Mobile.

The company claims that one in four of its new customers are now taking up mobile broadband packages, not mobile phones.

Mobile broadband has become increasingly popular in the UK in recent months, with some claiming that it will overtake fixed-line connections as early as 2010.

This has led some office workers to rethink their work environment. Half of those questioned said they spend less than half an hour a day outside, with 37% suggesting that they should be allowed to go and work outside now that internet access can be had anywhere.

"Mobile broadband has reached a tipping point and is now hitting the mainstream,"says Richard Warmsley, head of internet and entertainment services at T-Mobile. "Consumers are used to taking their laptops out and about with them and they expect to be connected - whether that's in the garden, at the office or in the park."

"We expect to quadruple our user base in 2008, with one in four new customers currently signing up for a mobile broadband package," he continues.

However, mobile broadband customers should be careful where they use their connections. Several cases of five-figure bills have emerged in recent months, where people have used roaming data while on holiday.

Earlier this week a Yes Telecom customer received a £31,000 bill for downloading an episode of Prison Break and several MP3s while on holiday in Portugal.