How to buy the best mobile broadband Accessing the mobile broadband network

Mobile broadband 3G coverage claims range from 80% to 99% depending on the provider – but quantity doesn't always equal quality, so impressive claims must be taken with a pinch of salt. 

3G coverage is better in UK towns and cities – in more rural parts it can be patchy. However, in some rural areas you may be able to get mobile broadband access even if you can't get fixed-line broadband.

Mobile broadband availability

There have been cases of people taking out a mobile broadband contract only to discover that they can't get a signal in the locations they want to use it, which might explain why mobile broadband providers scored poorly across the board for connection reliability in the Which? mobile broadband survey. 

There are a few ways to reduce the risk of being tied in to a contract for a service you can't get:

  • Check providers' 3G mobile coverage using 3G maps or postcode checkers on their websites. These are guides rather than guarantees, though. You may also run into mobile broadband reception problems if you live in a location where mobile signals may be blocked by your surroundings, such as in a basement flat.
  • If you're concerned about getting a 3G mobile broadband signal, you could try borrowing a friend's mobile phone to check you can get a 3G mobile signal in your home. If you can get a mobile operator's 3G signal on your mobile phone, then mobile broadband from that mobile operator should also work at that location.
  • Before you buy, check the retailer's policy for allowing returns if you can't get a decent signal. Once you've bought a service, set up and check your service as soon as possible after you get it home. That way, you'll hopefully find out if there's a problem with signal in plenty of time to cancel for a full refund. 
Dongle from O2

Mobile broadband uses USB modems, or 'dongles' that plug into your laptop

Wi-fi access with mobile broadband

Some mobile broadband providers, including T-Mobile and O2, throw in access to their wi-fi hotspots across the UK. Wi-fi hotspots let you access the internet at places such as cafés, airports and railway stations via a wireless broadband network, or 'hotspot', set up at that location.

The advantage of this is that you can access the internet free of charge at these locations without eating into your mobile broadband usage limits – and wi-fi broadband is usually faster than the 3G network. You'll only be able to use hotspots that are registered to your provider, though.

Using mobile broadband abroad

Technically you can use mobile broadband overseas as long as there's a 3G mobile signal. But overseas mobile broadband usage won't be included in your fixed fee, and charges can be very high – usually several pounds per megabyte (MB), depending on your network and the country you're going to. 

A single music track is around 4MB – so costs for using mobile broadband abroad can build up very quickly. There have been cases of people running up bills of thousands of pounds despite relatively restrained use. Be very sceptical if a salesperson claims your usual monthly fee covers you to use mobile broadband overseas.

Find out how much your internet usage adds up to using the broadband usage calculator in the Which? broadband review.

If you want to use mobile broadband overseas, always check costs before you travel. The Which? mobile broadband product picker includes costs per provider for using your service abroad including any international usage add-ons. 

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