How to buy the best mobile broadband Mobile broadband vs fixed-line broadband

Using a laptop in a park

Mobile broadband lets you surf the web wherever there’s a 3G mobile signal

Mobile broadband uses small USB modems that you plug into your computer (mobile broadband dongles) rather than the traditional modem or wireless router that you need to access fixed-line broadband. 

Mobile broadband 3G signals are carried over the airwaves rather than wires, so you're not tied to a fixed location and can access the internet on your laptop wherever there's a 3G mobile signal.

Compare mobile broadband deals from leading operators and see which mobile provider has the happiest customers in the Which? mobile broadband review – don't choose a mobile broadband service without it.

Mobile broadband and fixed-line broadband compared

If you're trying to decide between mobile broadband and fixed-line broadband, we've highlighted the pros and cons of each to help with your choice. 

Mobile broadband pros

  • Get online on the move As long as you have a laptop, you can surf the mobile internet wherever there's a 3G mobile signal.
  • No phone line rental costs Unlike traditional broadband, you don't have to pay for fixed phone-line rental to be able to get mobile broadband. You don't even have to have a mobile phone – you can get mobile broadband independently of any phone service.
  • Pay as you go Some companies offer pay-as-you-go (PAYG) mobile broadband, with credit lasting anything from a day to a month, so you don't have to tie yourself in to a lengthy contract.
  • Easy set-up When we tried out services from 3, O2, Orange, T-Mobile, Virgin and Vodafone, we found all services easy to set up. It usually took around 10 minutes from getting the dongle out of the box to getting online.
  • Discounts with your mobile provider Some mobile broadband providers will give you a discount if you have your mobile phone with them too. 

Check the Which? mobile broadband reviews to see if your mobile phone provider will give you a discount on mobile broadband.

Mobile broadband cons

  • Slower broadband speeds Maximum mobile broadband speeds aren't as fast as traditional fixed-line broadband – typically up to 3.6 or up to 7.2Mbps, although some are a little slower. Mobile broadband has similar speed limitations to fixed-line broadband, meaning that the maximum 'up to' speed is a theoretical rather than a practical maximum. 
  • Restrictive usage limits Upload and download usage caps and fair usage limits are fairly low, and exceeding usage can be very expensive. You can find out how high a broadband usage limit you need using the Which? broadband usage calculator.
  • Comparatively costly Like for like, mobile internet access is more expensive than most fixed-line broadband contracts.
  • Dongles are locked to one provider A mobile broadband dongle is usually locked to the provider that supplied it, so you're likely to have to buy a new dongle if you want to switch providers.
  • Voip may not work If you want to make internet phone calls (Voip), check before you buy mobile broadband. Voip may not work as well as over fixed-line broadband and some cheaper mobile broadband packages may block internet telephone services. 
Using a laptop whilst on holiday can be expensive

Using mobile broadband abroad can be very expensive

Is mobile broadband best for you?

Lower usage caps and lower maximum speeds for mobile broadband mean that, if you're a heavy broadband user, you may be better off with fixed-line broadband. 

Take a look at the Which? fixed-line broadband review to help you choose the best fixed-line broadband deal from over 25 providers, including market leaders BT, TalkTalk and Virgin Media.

But mobile broadband could be ideal for anyone who doesn't want to pay for a fixed phone line – university and college students, for example. 

And people who travel for work or leisure might value its flexibility as a replacement for fixed-line broadband or as a second internet service. 

Before you sign up to mobile broadband, check that the computer you want to use it on meets relevant minimum specifications – and check that it will work if you have an Apple Mac computer.

For one of the most crucial deciding factor – customer satisfaction – take a look at the Which? mobile broadband product picker to see how people who use 3, BT, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone mobile broadband rate their service.

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