Mobile operator Three (3) claims that 97% of all the traffic that now travels through their network is data ( Mobile Broadband ) based. In addition the operator has seen a 427% increase in data usage, among their Smartphone customers, between the 14 months that ran from June 2010 to September 2011.

At the same time Three (3) has also announced the launch of its new Mobile Broadband WiFi Hub device, which simply converts an existing USB Mobile Broadband Dongle (Modem) into a Wi-Fi Hotspot and allows customers to share their 3G connection via Wi-Fi at home (similar to a dedicated MiFi device).

Key features:
• Creates a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to five devices
• Supports dongle speeds up to 21 Mbps
• 88mm x 66mm x 25mm
• Available in black
• Mains powered
• 30 Meter range

Information on pricing and availability will apparently be announced soon, but in the meantime they've left us with a picture, which is nice. Three (3) is currently aiming to have 80% of its network upgraded to HSPA+ (21Mbps+) by the end of 2011, with the rest following soon afterwards.