Steady gains in mobile broadband subscriber growth suffered a hiccup in the fourth quarter as consumers cut back on discretionary spending, according to a report released today from comScore.

During the fourth-quarter, growth in the number of mobile broadband users dropped to 5 percent after six consecutive quarters of double-digit growth, according to comScore -- down from a 22 percent hike in the prior quarter.

"We've observed a significant deceleration in subscriber growth during Q4 2008 coinciding with the economic downturn, an indication that mobile broadband service may still be seen by many as a luxury rather than a necessity," Serge Matta, senior vice president at comScore, said in a statement.

Matta also hinted that Verizon Wireless may be poised to emerge a winner in this space based on the data.

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