The popularity of mobile devices such as the Apple iPad is driving innovation among broadband providers, it has been claimed.

Deutsche Telekom's Chief Technology Officer Olivier Baujard claimed that "the fixed internet experience is being mobilised" as a result of customer demand, reports ZDNet.

Commenting upon the UK release of the iPad, which sold more than one million units during its first month on release in the US, he claimed that mobile data usage could treble over the next two to three years.

"The capacity to be higher-connected does create measurable growth of consumption," Mr Baujard said, referencing the popularity of tablet computers, dongles and smartphones.

"It's demand-driven - so much demand-driven that it does not come from a service provider push."

Last week, John Tearle, a Consultant in the technology division at market intelligence body TNS Research, claimed that the iPad is likely to be used by customers primarily in conjunction with the internet.