Mobile broadband services will be used by 1.8 billion people worldwide within the next few years, new research has revealed.

The study by Infonetics Research has suggested the number of people subscribing to the services will hit the figure by 2014.

It also revealed that 153 million subscribers will be making use of long term evolution (LTE) services by that point in time, which is expected to be driven by the high concentration of western European providers with good HSPA coverage.

Revenue collected by service providers is expected to top $829 billion by 2014.

Stephane Teral, Infonetics Research's Principal Analyst for mobile and FMC infrastructure, said fast-rising mobile broadband revenues are helping to offset declines in both voice and SMS.

Last week, Clear Mobitel confirmed plans to launch a trial of LTE mobile broadband services in parts of Cornwall later this year.

The pilot will involve the 800MHz digital dividend wireless radio spectrum in the region.