The UK leads the world when it comes to mobile data, internet shopping and catch-up TV. That’s the conclusion of Ofcom’s seventh International Communications Market Report, which looked at the availability, adoption, price and use of broadband, fixed-line telephone, mobile, TV, radio and postal services in 16 major countries.

58% of UK adults had a smartphone - one of the highest penetration figures worldwide - while 19% had a tablet device.

4.3 million home and business alarm systems will be connected to mobile phone networks in Europe by 2016, according to a new report from Berg Insight.

The research company predicts that the total number of tracking devices and wireless alarm systems monitored from a European alarm receiving centre will grow from 9.1 million last year to 39.7 million by the end of 2016.

Today's podcast feature takes a look at mobile financial services, from the current state of mobile payments to NFC adoption and the developments we're likely to see next year.

Joining us are Winston Yeo, Vice President Marketing and Product Management for Mobile Financial Services at Gemalto, and Amol Deshmukh, Gemalto's Director of Mobile Financial Services for North America.

A new US-based study from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) has found that 63% of digital video watching on mobile phones happens at home, not when the user is ‘on the move’.

A significant portion (36%) of this home-based video watching takes place in a room where a TV, desktop computer or tablet is also available for viewing.

This year adults in the UK spent the equivalent of £933.72 each on technology, according to a new survey from price comparison site uSwitch.com. The research looked at all tech-related spending, from equipment to apps.

The most popular tech choice in the UK was a smartphone (chosen by 48% of respondents), with 28% of adults buying a tablet, 22% buying a ‘non-smart’ mobile phone and 18% choosing an ebook reader.