Mobile broadband

Introduction to mobile broadband

Mobile broadband offers an affordable way to stay connected to the internet and email on a laptop when away from the home or office. Available for both personal and business users, mobile broadband connections are delivered using small, lightweight USB modem sticks that deliver high speed data connections to mobile networks.

Mobile broadband coverage areas and speeds vary by network, but can reach up to 7.2Mbps - faster than many fixed line broadband services. In fact, mobile broadband is so flexible and affordable that for some it's cheaper and more practical to use it as a replacement for existing home or office fixed line broadband connections.

Mobile broadband is available to buy directly online from networks including Orange, Vodafone, T-Mobile and 3:

Vodafone mobile broadband

Vodafone's award-winning mobile broadband offers connection speeds of up to 7.2Mbps using convenient USB modem sticks that are priced from free on pay monthly contracts over 12 - 24 months. The device simply plugs into the USB port on a laptop to enable wireless, high speed mobile web browsing and email access. A pay as you go mobile broadband option is also available, called Top Up and Go. Vodafone also offers a FREE Dell Netbook mini computer / PC on mobile broadband price plans starting from £25 per month.

In June 2008, Vodafone's mobile broadband was found by an independent study to be the fastest and most reliable UK service for downloading web pages and files.

Vodafone's mobile broadband devices are compatible with both PCs and Apple Mac computers, subject to them meeting minimum technical specifications. With a coverage area still undergoing expansion, Vodafone mobile broadband service can already be accessed by c81% of the UK's population.

Three / 3 mobile broadband

Three / 3 offers pay monthly mobile broadband priced from just £10 per month, with a choice of low cost or free 3G USB modems. Some of 3's mobile broadband deals also include free laptop PCs - click the "Laptop packages" tab above their list of USB modems/ dongles. 3 also offers Pay As You Go mobile broadband. Three currently has the UK's best mobile broadband network coverage (as at December 08).

The network is refreshingly open about potential and actual connection speeds. Whilst 3's HSDPA network can theoretically deliver up to 3.6Mbps, Three says you're more likely to achieve speeds of up to 2.8Mbps. Similarly, industry standard references to speeds of up to 7.2Mbps through Enhanced Mobile Broadband (currently being rolled out by 3) again overstate what you can expect to achieve in practice.

3's mobile broadband network currently covers around 90% of the UK population - a figure that is planned to increase to around 98% by early 2009.

Orange mobile broadband

Orange mobile broadband offers wireless broadband with a 3GB monthly bandwidth / usage allowance. The Orange Broadband dongle supports HSDPA speeds and is offered free on 18 month contracts. Orange's service currently offers connection speeds of up to 3.6Mbps, with pay monthly prices starting from under £15 per month. You can also get a free PC with mobile broadband direct from Orange's online shop on price plans starting from under £25 per month:

T-Mobile mobile broadband

At the time of writing, there are no hidden charges with T-Mobile's mobile broadband service, even if their 10GB fair use policy limit is exceeded. T-Mobile offers a choice of mobile broadband plans, with options that include mobile internet access, support for internet voice calling / VoIP services like Skype and high limits for sending and receiving emails and other data.

T-Mobile's mobile broadband prices start from £10 a month for an introductory period, rising to £15+ per month. Their plans include Wi-Fi hotspot access and, in many cases, a free USB modem stick or dongle. Free netbook laptop PCs are also available complete with a USB modem from £25 a month. Price plans are available over 12 and 24 month durations. T-Mobile's UK broadband network coverage is around 84%.