About mobile broadband
Mobile broadband is the technology used to connect your laptop or tablet to the internet using the mobile phone networks rather than using Wi-Fi or wireless broadband. The connection is usually made with a USB device called a dongle which plugs into your laptop and connects you to the mobile network. The mobile networks use 3G or 4G technology to deliver mobile broadband speeds typically ranging from 2Mbs to 6Mbs for 3G connections and 6Mbs to 20Mbs for 4G connections.
Using Broadband Expert to compare deals
Broadband Expert compares mobile broadband deals from the major providers including Vodafone, EE, 3 and T-Mobile. Have a look through our comparison table and check coverage in your area before deciding which option is right for you. If you don’t need to download lots of data like movies and games or only need occasional access then consider 3G packages for a cheap mobile broadband deal or a pay as you go deal. If you do intend to use this as your main internet connection or to download lots of data then a faster 4G connection may be a better option but is more expensive.
Our mobile broadband guides
With so many different options and confusing terminology it can be difficult to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of different providers, packages and technologies. Do you need unlimited data and 4G or will 3G be sufficient? What about providers offering free laptops with mobile broadband? What are the pros and cons of using your mobile broadband connection when you are abroad? Our guides and our FAQs take you through all you need to know before making a purchase.
Free laptop deals: Three and Vodafone currently offer these and if you want a laptop and a mobile broadband connection then this is a nice way of splitting the cost over the length of the contract. The laptop isn’t really free but you do get to pay for it over 24 months rather than in one go and will end up paying a similar amount to buying the laptop and dongle separately.
Mi-Fi (Mobile Wi-Fi): These devices let you share you connection so if you have multiple devices or people in the same household who want to use the same connection this can be a good option. Click the mobile Wi-Fi tab above the comparison tables to see a comparison of Mi-Fi deals).3G – The technology behind mobile broadband deals
With fixed line broadband, copper telephone wires or fibre-optic cable is used to send and receive data. However, with mobile broadband access is gained via mobile phone networks through a technology called 3G. When you sign up to mobile broadband you receive a compact modem (a dongle), small enough to carry around with you. This USB modem can be used anywhere with mobile coverage. Your USB modem will allow you to then access the Internet via 3G mobile technology whether you are on the go or at home. The modem simply plugs in to the USB socket on your laptop or desktop so you can be online in seconds. You can read more about the next generations of technology which will offer faster speeds, HSPA+ and 4G, later in this article.Mobile broadband providers in the UK
3 mobile broadband offers plenty of choice when it comes to finding a suitable broadband package and price, which makes it easier to find a deal that suits your needs and your pocket. You can also choose from a number of modems and dongles to suit your needs. 3 offers competitive prices on its mobile broadband packages, so you can benefit from mobile broadband without breaking the bank. 3 is the first provider in the UK to upgrade its network to HSPA+ which offers faster speeds and now has much better coverage than when they first launched. They have also picked up more awards than any other provider and have been voted best mobile broadband provider by a number of consumer organisations including Broadband Expert.
Vodafone mobile broadband offers some of the most competitive mobile broadband deals around for both business and recreational users. Vodafone scores above average for speeds and coverage though has lost its crown of fastest mobile broadband provider. After 3 Vodafone are the second most popular option for UK consumers.
Orange mobile broadband offers some good discounts for existing Orange customers and has the added appeal of extras such as Orange Tuesday’s cinema deal. They have also partnered with BT to offer access
T-Mobile broadband offer the most realistic speeds and are big on being fair by not penalising users for exceeding their data limits. It good to see a provider that is not over egging what they are selling and is big on treating its customers’ fairly.
O2 mobile broadband is probably the most improved mobile broadband provider in terms of increased speeds. Alongside 3, O2 has the best speeds whilst being reasonable value for money.
Virgin mobile broadband was a late arrival in the UK market. Virgin mobile broadband has a smaller range of offers but could prove to be good value if you have other services from Virgin such as your home broadband or phone.
Pay as you go mobile broadband
Pay as you go mobile broadband deals are proving increasingly popular with the number of people opting for a mobile broadband pay as you go option increasing month on month. If you are only likely to use mobile broadband occasionally as an addition to your home broadband service then a pay as you go mobile broadband package is likely to be much more cost effective. Pay as you go mobile broadband is also a great option if you don’t want to make a long term financial commitment. If you are unsure of the quality of connection and speed of mobile broadband then opting for a mobile broadband pay as you go deal could be a better option than committing to a long term contract in case you are disappointed with the product.
The pros and cons vs. a fixed connection
As with any other technology there are pros and cons to consider when it comes to mobile broadband, and some of these are listed below:
- The big advantage is access anywhere with mobile coverage meaning you can get online on your laptop, iPad or other tablet anywhere with coverage.- The security risk with mobile broadband is far lower than with open Wi-Fi hotspots, as data can be more easily intercepted with Wi-Fi.
- The increasing popularity of mobile broadband is quickly driving the cost of packages down, as providers try and stay one step ahead of the competition through increasing their customer base. This means that you can get some great deals and offers with prices still falling.
- Mobile broadband offers an effective solution for those that want internet access in the home but do not want the contact commitment and expense of having a landline installed and paying for a monthly telephone line rental.
- Download limits with mobile broadband can be quite restricted due to the higher cost of transferring data across 3G networks. Fixed line deals typically have higher data limits.
- There is no guarantee of connection in all areas, as your service will may not work in areas with poor mobile reception.
- Whilst speeds are fine for most types of internet usage they are not as fast as home broadband speeds.
What does the future hold?
4G is the buzz word right now and it refers to the next generation of mobile broadband which is already being trialled in the UK and is widely available in many US cities. This will bring much faster speeds and offer a realistic alternative to fixed connections. 4G uses a technology called LTE which is capable of reaching maximum speeds comparable to the top end fibre optic connections currently available. In the UK we are waiting for the government to auction off the radio spectrum needed to supply 4G, this is likely to happen in late 2012 or early 2013.
At present the mobile network Three has upgraded some of its network to HSPA+ which some are calling 3.5G which has the capacity to double the speed of 3G connections. It’s likely that the future will involve the roll-out of 4G alongside the upgrading of some existing networks to 3.5G.