Mobile Broadband Finder – Choose the right deal for you
What is mobile broadband?
Mobile broadband is high speed internet access via dongle (USB modem stick) at any place which has (3G) mobile network coverage.
You can expect download speeds from 386Kbps up to 7.2Mbps, depending on coverage and other factors including weather and interiors.
Other gadgets like smartphones, internet tablets and iPads can also be connected to mobile internet.
How mobile broadband works?
Laptops/netbooks are currently the most popular devices to use mobile broadband due to their affordable price range and easy to use features.
The dongle that you receive from your provider has a slot for SIM card which helps to access mobile internet without any setup.
Insert the dongle into the USB slot on your laptop. The dongle software will allow you to connect, disconnect and configure security settings.
If you use laptops with built-in mobile broadband, you will not need a dongle, however, such laptops will have slot for SIM to be inserted to access mobile internet service.
Mobile Broadband Contracts
Pay monthly mobile broadband packages will have contract length that varies between 12 and 24 months and come with free dongle and fixed monthly usage allowance (up to 15GB) making them suitable for regular and frequent users.
Excess usage beyond the download cap, is usually calculated on per MB basis. Longer contract is definitely a downside with pay monthly mobile broadband deals.
Pay As You Go Mobile Broadband
Pay and Go or PAYG mobile broadband is suitable for occasional usage as you will not need to pay every month. All you need to do is just buy a USB dongle (modem stick) and buy top-ups whenever you want to use
What is one month rolling contract?
You will get fixed monthly usage allowance when you take one month rolling contract. The dongle will cost extra and you will also need to give one month notice if you want to cancel the service.
Mobile Broadband Packages for Apple iPad users
iPad users will need special SIM card to connect to the internet. UK service providers like Three, Vodafone, O2 already offer iPad mobile broadband plans with Micro SIM cards.
Apple iPhones
There are separate data plans currently available for iPhone users in the UK. Providers offer both pay monthly and pay as you go broadband plans that include iPhone device with some upfront fee.
Mobile broadband with free laptops
Many mobile broadband packages now bundle laptops free or with some upfront fee.
Like pay monthly plans, you will have longer contracts (18/24 months) and monthly usage allowance set for the specific package.