The popularity of wireless broadband services is continuing to increase among web-savvy consumers, it has been reported.

Chris Bruce, Chief Executive Officer of BT Openzone and Chair of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), noted that demand for Wi-Fi access in the 'third place' is growing.

He claimed that more and more consumers want to stay connected in indoor locations outside the home or office – achieving a higher level of geographical flexibility which cannot be offered by a fixed connection.

"Uptake of smartphones and tablet devices has seen a rising number of companies offering Wi-Fi as part of their service mix," he noted.

Mr Bruce was speaking as the WBA welcomed the addition of manufacturers AT&T, Cisco, Comcast, Devicescape, KT Corporation and Verizon to its group.

The organisation said its membership was evolving due to "the explosion in wireless data usage" driven by rapid technological innovation.

WBA's aim is to encourage the global uptake of wireless broadband by developing common commercial and technical frameworks for interoperability across networks, technologies and devices.