The uptake of mobile broadband is increasing by 75 per cent annually throughout the EU, according to a new report.

Findings from the GSM Association suggests that the continent-wide industry was worth €7 billion (£5.5 billion). In the year ending April 2008 meanwhile, the number of 3G users reached 112 million.

This adoption rate is faster than any other region in the world, the organisation notes.

"Competition, including from Wi-Fi, is delivering dramatic reductions in the retail price of data services, which give mobile users the convenience of being able to access email, the internet and other multimedia services," said Tom Phillips, chief government and regulatory affairs officer of the association.

He added that the group expects prices to fall further as telecoms providers around the region develop cheaper and more flexible tariffs and consumers begin to use mobile broadband and other 3G services as part of their daily lives.

A report published by the group in March suggested that the total number of broadband subscriptions worldwide had increased tenfold in the previous 12 months.

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