Mobile broadband providers must learn to manage the bandwidth capacity of their network in the long-term, one expert has said.

Anton Denissov, research analyst with Parks Associates, has warned of the possible pitfalls facing the mobile broadband market, with bandwidth growth being recorded as high as 800 per cent by some operators.

Mr Denissov was speaking as the study 'Mobile Broadband in North America and Europe: Change is Key to Maintaining Profitability' was published by policy control and application assurance technology provider Camiant.

The report suggests that with the increasing use of smartphones and laptops with data cards, traffic congestion could become a problem in the "next three to five years".

"Mobile carriers around the world, especially those offering 'unlimited' data plans, must rethink their approach to wireless broadband network management," said Mr Desinov.

He concluded: "Failure to implement refined network controls and business policies would condition abusive consumer use patterns and accelerate service commoditisation."