Mobile broadband operator 3 (Three) has grown to top 3.8 million mobile broadband connections, Hutchison Whampoa, the parent company of 3 reported in its finacial report for the six month period ended on June 30th.

This is 170% growth in customer base of 3 while the ISP had 2% rise in revenues during the first half of 2009.

In UK mobile broadband market, 3 has other major rivals to compete with, like Vodafone, Orange, O2 and T-Mobile.

Hutchison Whampoa gave the following statement:

“Although ARPU (Average Revenue Per active User) declined in local currencies, total revenue overall increased three per cent from the comparable period last year.”

UK mobile broadband providers offer high-speed mobile internet access or 3G broadband using their networks. Ofcom, in a last statement released last month, pointed out the gaps or notspots in 3G broadband network in UK and how the mobile broadband speeds vary signficantly from place to place.