The impressive take-up of mobile broadband dongles in the UK gives rise to the theory that 3G access could eventually take over from fixed-line, one expert has suggested.

Ben Wood from telecoms research group CCS Insight was speaking to the Times in the wake of the expected release of figures from 3, revealing that the mobile broadband provider has sold in excess of one million USB modem sticks.

According to Mr Wood, as mobile broadband technology improves Brits could be tempted to dump their home broadband connection and be content with a dongle.

He told the newspaper: "As these mobile packages and speeds get good enough people will be starting to say 'hang on a minute, why do I need a landline again?'."

Mobile broadband operator 3 recently slashed the price of its 15GB deal from £30 to £15.