The number of mobile broadband users worldwide in 2008 is estimated at approximately one hundred and eighty six million, which is assumed to become six million by the end of the year. This spurt in the number of users has brought along with it the problem of network congestion. Service providers are struggling to keep up with the demand and at times, there is customer dissatisfaction due to slow download speeds during peak hours of usage.

Recent research conducted by telecom analyst Informa Telecoms and Media has suggested network optimisation as a solution to the above-mentioned problem. Informa performed a test between June and August of this year. It used netbooks equipped with mobile broadband and measured the download speed and file size for certain popular sites like Amazon and Facebook. The tests found network optimisation to be a successful practice to deal with the problem of network congestion.

It was found that some of the major mobile broadband service providers like BT. Vodafone and T-Mobile were already using this software and so their services during peak hours of usage were better that other small operators who were not using it. Although with the steady growth of this industry and the growth of network congestion the problem of customer dissatisfaction will be a perennial one, network optimisation promises to improve services and ease traffic congestion on a short-term basis.

If you are unsure of mobile broadband, or simply want to learn more, refer to a dedicated mobile broadband website for information and advice. On Mobile Broadband Genie you will find all you need to know on mobile broadband, dongles and free laptop packages on their comparison table of mobile broadband service providers.