Three mobile broadband jumps on the free laptop wagon

In a similar move to Orange and AOL last year Three mobile is now offering a free laptop to those that take up its mobile broadband package

With the number of broadband providers on the rise competitive in this industry has become increasingly tough, and providers have had to find new and inventive ways to entice customers and stay a step ahead of the competition. Last year saw AOL and Orange offering free laptops in conjunction with Carphone Warehouse and PC World to those that signed up for broadband contracts. This year Three has decided to use the same tempting offer to entice customers to sign up for its mobile broadband package.

In order to take advantage of the free laptop offer customers will need to sign up to an eighteen month contract via the Carphone Warehouse for the Complete Mobile Broadband Package. The cost of the service is £35 per month, and as long as stocks last qualifying customers will receive a Dell Inspirion laptop. Customers will also receive 200 free texts per month and 3GB of data downloads.

One broadband industry official stated: “Mobile broadband is the next generation of wireless internet use. No longer constrained by ethernet cables around the home, you can now set yourself free from the phone line and take your broadband wherever you want to go.” He added: “Although a free laptop with a broadband package is not a new concept a laptop with mobile broadband really does offer the ‘complete package’ - and bypasses BT line rental costs all together. However, despite widespread coverage, certain rural areas are patchy and customers should check their local coverage before committing to a long contract.”

T-Mobile is offering a similar deal, where customers can get the laptop for a one off payment of £199 by singing up to its mobile broadband package for a twenty four month contract and at a cost of £20 per month.