The group’s mobile data revenues hit £2.2bn over the 26-week period, with demand driven mainly by subscribers in Europe and take-up of the services in developing markets, such as Africa and the Middle East.

This was accompanied by a 1.3% overall revenue decline from its European operations, but the carrier did report a 23.2% annual increase in mobile data revenue in the region.

Vodafone Group CEO Vittorio Colao said, “Since November 2008 we’ve seen tangible evidence of accelerating mobile data adoption where consumers and business customers are seizing the benefits of fast, reliable mobile data networks using smartphones and other mobile data devices, such as tablets.

“We’re also seeing increased interest in broader data-based services like payments via handsets and an initial wave of mobile devices for homes and cars.”

Colao also confirmed the carrier was to implement tiered-data pricing plans to encourage take-up of mobile internet services and help prevent network congestion.

Mobile internet speeds have become an increasing concern for operators since the increased popularity of smartphone devices such as the iPhone.

As a result, regulators are investigating how both mobile operators and ISPs are marketing their data usage allowances and network speeds