How to buy the best mobile broadband Contract and PAYG mobile broadband
It's easy to use mobile broadband – simply plug the dongle in to your USB port
There are two main types of mobile broadband tariff – pay as you go (PAYG) and contract. Most mobile broadband providers offer both.
The Which? mobile broadband product comparison tool lets you narrow down your choice of package depending on whether you want a PAYG or contract mobile broadband deal.
Pay as you go (PAYG) mobile broadband
PAYG mobile broadband packages don't work in quite the same way as PAYG mobile phone tariffs.
You usually have to pay up front for credit that gives you a specific amount of mobile broadband time (from a day to a month, depending on the provider) rather than paying per megabyte (MB) of data you actually use – although there will probably be a cap on your total use.
The big advantage of PAYG is that you can cancel at any point without penalty, so it's easy to change your mind or switch to another provider. This makes PAYG the best bet if you're not sure if mobile broadband will suit your needs or you want to test network coverage before committing to a contract.
The downside is that you'll have to pay for your mobile broadband dongle up front, and monthly fees may be higher than on longer contracts.
Mobile broadband contracts
With pay-monthly contracts, you must sign up to a direct debit agreement that takes a payment from your bank account on a monthly basis.
Some providers offer one-month contracts, which are fairly flexible. But you'll still have to sign up to a monthly direct debit and give notice of cancellation, so they're not quite as easy to change your mind about as a pay-as-you-go deal.
If you're sure mobile broadband is right for you, you may get more for your money with a 12-, 18- or 24-month contract, since most contract tariffs include a free dongle.
Bear in mind, though, that what's on offer in the mobile broadband world may change rapidly. If you sign up to a long contract, you won't be able to take advantage of any better deals that come onto the market, as contract cancellation fees can be steep.
Use the same provider for your mobile and internet to get a discount
How to buy mobile broadband
You can buy mobile broadband in mobile phone shops or online. If you buy online, you'll obviously have to wait a while to receive your pack and dongle and may have to pay a delivery fee.
However, one advantage of buying online is that you’ll be automatically covered by distance-selling regulations, which allow you to change your mind within a given time – usually seven days from the day after the goods arrive.
Read the Which? guide on how to shop safely online, including your rights under distance-selling regulations.
Some providers offer their own returns policies above and beyond this, regardless of how you buy.
Cost of mobile broadband
Mobile broadband monthly charges range from basic deals costing £10 for a month, such as the 1GB, pay-as-you-go mobile broadband package from mobile network provider T-Mobile, to around £25 to £30 a month for longer contracts with higher mobile broadband usage limits.
If you're a very occasional user (just two or three days each month), a few providers offer mobile broadband on a pay-per-day rate from around £2.
Depending on the tariff, you may need to pay a one-off fee of up to £30 for a mobile broadband dongle.
Some providers may offer a discount on mobile internet if you also have a mobile phone service with them – ask about this when you sign up.
'Free' laptops
Alternatively, some mobile broadband providers offer so-called 'free' laptops in exchange for signing up to a longer or more expensive deal. They're not really free, as the cost is reflected in higher monthly charges, but it could be a good way of spreading the cost of a new laptop if money’s a bit tight. Make sure that the specifications of both the laptop and the mobile broadband service meet your needs.
It may be better for you to sign up to a cheaper mobile broadband deal with a shorter contract, and use the savings in monthly fees to contribute to a laptop of your choice.
If you're in the market for a new laptop, pick one that will stand the test of time from the range of Best Buys on offer in the Which? laptops reviews.
