Based on data from the 113 operators and 33 countries covered in Strategy Analytics' Mobile Broadband Price Benchmarking Service, the proportion of table-specific plans currently accounts for 1,135 of the 3,000 plans covered in the service - or 40% of all offers. This is not surprising when we consider the dramatic rise in the use of tablets, and the fact that tablet use presents a good revenue opportunity for operators, providing they can hit the sweet spot with plans. Operators offer a growing number of tablets, with many offering at least 5 within their portfolio of plans, including the new third generation Apple iPad which is making an entrance. We are also seeing the reintroduction of the Samsung Galaxy Tab in various markets, following the resolution of the legal issues it faced. The trend towards own-branded tablets seems to have slowed somewhat, at least for now. Meanwhile, the introduction of 4G/LTE technology has brought about the first 4G/LTE tablet tariffs in Germany, with maximum offered download speeds as high as 100Mbps.

Approaches to device subsidisation - an issue which is becoming more prevalent of late - vary across providers and countries. Looking across France, Germany, Italy and the UK in Europe, and the US, compared to December 2011, levels of subsidy are broadly unchanged; Italian and German mobile operators continue to offer the highest subsidies for tablet devices, while US mobile operators mostly abstain from subsidies.

A more detailed analysis of how mobile broadband charges are evolving is available for download.