Comparison website Broadband Expert says the introduction of Googles Nexus One phone will further contribute to falling mobile broadband sales in 2010.
Broadband Expert experienced a 16.5% dip in dongle sales over the 2009 Christmas period compared to the previous year, and believes the increasing popularity of Smartphone technology is at least partly to blame.  
The company also states that the slow speeds associated with mobile broadband is another factor that has contributed to the decline in sales. Broadband Expert recently reported that the average mobile broadband speed in the UK is less than 1Mbps, which is a quarter of the speed advertised by the providers.
The fact that mobile broadband service providers have over promised and under-delivered with regards to mobile broadband speeds has not helped the industry, says Broadband Expert Commercial Director, Rob Webber. It has led to a general mistrust of the technology, as well as the companies that provide it. Such misleading advertising has also led to disappointment among consumers who have taken up mobile broadband with expectations that it provides a viable alternative to fixed line broadband.
Despite the current downturn in mobile broadband sales, Broadband Expert believes that advances in mobile broadband networks are set to buck the negative trend in the near future. The next generation of mobile broadband – 4G mobile broadband – will provide consumers with the higher speeds and data rates associated with fixed line broadband; as well as voice, data and streamed multimedia applications; while on the go.
The more advanced capabilities of 4G mobile broadband, together with the development of increasingly compact and sophisticated netbook and laptop hardware technology, means that mobile broadband will be able to meet all of a consumers Internet requirements in the near future, says webber. This improved service will undoubtedly bolster mobile broadband sales, however until 4G is a reality, Broadband Expert expects to see mobile broadband dongle sales continue to fall in 2010.