Traffic management measures have enabled internet service provider 3 to lower its mobile broadband entry level prices, it has been reported.

According to ISPreview.co.uk, these were brought in to help "stem the growing tide" of peer-to-peer usage on its network and free up extra capacity.

However, the site commented: "It remains very difficult for any mobile operator to further reduce the price of mobile broadband services while growing data usage is starting to outstrip any revenue they get back."

Last week, 3 slashed its mobile broadband entry level price from £10 to just £7.50 a month for customers taking out an 18 or 24-month contract.

A free dongle, which offers connection speeds of up to 3.6Mb, has also been made available, while contracted customers have 1GB data allowance per month.

Consumers who desire the 1GB package with a MiFi device can pay just a little extra, at £9.50 a month.