According to a new research report from the analyst firm Berg Insight, HSPA accounted for 11.6 percent of the total number of broadband connections in Europe at the end of 2008. The number of HSPA/LTE mobile broadband subscribers (connected PCs) grew by 74 percent year-on-year in 2008 to reach 14.6 million and is forecasted to continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30 percent to 70 million in 2014.

The North American market has evolved at a slower pace, with mobile broadband accounting for just 4.5 percent of the total number of connections. Between 2008 and 2014, the North American market is forecasted to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 43 percent to reach 35 million subscribers at the end of the period.

Berg Insight predicts that mobile broadband will become a standard feature in portable PCs which will have integrated wireless modems, enabling them to connect to the best available network.