Mobile broadband launched by O2

Communications giant O2 has launched its mobile broadband product, which will be available from the beginning of May

Mobile broadband has become increasingly popular over recent months, with many consumers deciding to take advantage of this technology due to increased flexibility and mobility. In a recent announcement O2 has now launched its mobile broadband service, which should be available to consumers from 1st May.

Reports indicate that the O2 mobile broadband service will offer speeds of up to 1.8Mbps, and these speeds will start to increase across the network up to 3.6Mbps from June. The service will cost £30 a month for consumers that are not currently O2 customers, but existing O2 customers can get the service for £20 per month as long as their primary O2 account remains active over the minimum term.

Customers will be able to enjoy 3GB of usage for their monthly fee, and any usage ion excess of this is charged at twenty pence per MegaByte. However, the usage charge is being waived until October 2008 according to the small print, although there are still excessive usage policies in place.

The product offers access to around seven and a half thousand WiFi spots through a service called the Cloud. Although WiFi usage is advertised as unlimited there are fair usage policies in place. Consumers can choose from two different contract options, one of which includes a free modem for an eighteen month contract and the other which is a one month minimum term with a modem cost of £119.99.

The popularity of mobile broadband has led some industry officials to believe that many people that do not use their landlines for calls may get rid of their landlines and static broadband in order to enjoy the flexibility and mobility of mobile broadband.