The business of fixed-line broadband providers is under threat from the success of mobile broadband, according to a new YouGov report.

According to the study, one in eight mobile broadband customers quizzed had opted for the service over a fixed-line alternative, or replaced their fixed-line broadband with a dongle.

Furthermore, another five per cent admitted that they had signed up for mobile broadband while still on a fixed-line contract which they planned to cancel within the next 12 months.

In an attempt to explain the trend, YouGov's Marek Vaygelt commented: "Customers find mobile broadband easy to use and install but transmission speeds and to a lesser extend network coverage reduce the initial enjoyment of getting up and running.

"It is in these areas that fixed ISPs have a distinct advantage and need to concentrate their marketing effort to minimise customer loss."

However, the YouGov publication, entitled DongleTrack, also found that over 25 per cent of mobile broadband users are unlikely to renew their contracts, with many citing poor speeds capabilities.