Mobile broadband What is mobile broadband?
Mobile broadband gives you broadband internet access on your laptop, tablet or PC wherever a network operator’s 3G mobile signal is available. Mobile broadband equipment uses the same Sim-card technology used in mobile phones so that you can get online on the move rather than being tied to a fixed location.
Phone service providers BT, O2, Orange, 3, T-Mobile, Vodafone and Virgin Mobile offer mobile broadband services - prices start from around £10 per month.
Alternatively, if you only want to use mobile broadband for two or three days each month you can get pay-as-you-go mobile broadband for around £2 per day.
Which? members can find out how the providers were rated in our regular mobile broadband satisfaction survey.
Mobile broadband is a good option if you don't have a landline.
Why would I want to use mobile broadband?
Mobile broadband is a useful way to access the internet without having to install, or pay for, a fixed phone-line. You can simply plug a mobile broadband ‘dongle’ into your laptop and get online almost immediately as long as you have 3G coverage.
PAYG mobile broadband is also useful if you don’t use the internet often and don’t want to be tied down to a lengthy contract.
How do I connect to mobile broadband?
You can connect to mobile broadband in several ways.
- USB mobile broadband dongles
USB dongles are small devices that plug into your laptop’s USB port and access the 3G network. USB dongles are the cheapest way to get online with mobile broadband and are often included for free as part of a mobile broadband contract. - Mobile wi-fi
Mobile wi-fi dongles work in a similar way to USB dongles. But instead of plugging into a laptop or PC, they transmit a wireless internet signal, allowing you to connect more than one device – such as multiple laptops or an iPhone - to mobile broadband at the same time. - Mobile broadband laptops
Some laptops don’t require you to use a dongle to access the mobile internet. Instead, the mobile broadband technology is built into the laptop itself. Some mobile broadband providers include mobile broadband laptops as part of the cost a mobile broadband contract – such contracts will be more expensive than deals that only include a mobile broadband dongle. - Tablet sim-cards
If you want to access mobile broadband with your iPad, or Samsung Galaxy Tab, then you can buy a dedicated 3G sim-card.
If you’re not sure which is the best way for you to connect to mobile broadband, take a look at Which? Mobile’s in-depth advice on mobile broadband equipment types.
Mobile broadband speed and download limits
Maximum mobile broadband speed isn't yet as fast as traditional fixed-line broadband – typically either up to 0.6Mbps or 2Mbps, though some mobile broadband speeds are a little slower.
You'll get the fastest speeds if you're surfing on an HSDPA network. HSDPA stands for High Speed Downlink Packet Access. It's sometimes also referred to as 3G+ or 3.5G.
HSDPA is basically a faster form of 3G, meaning that your mobile broadband speed will be faster wherever there's an HSDPA/3G+ signal. HSDPA/3G+ coverage isn’t quite as widespread as standard 3G, but both coverage and potential speeds are increasing.
Download data over mobile broadband is usually more expensive than downloading data over fixed-line broadband. So if you are a heavy data user - i.e. someone who plays a lot of online videogames, or watches a lot of online TV – then you’ll probably be better off on a fixed-line connection.
But if you’re a light user, who just wants to browse websites, email and download a few music files, then the higher cost of mobile broadband data shouldn’t affect you too much. In fact, if you’re a light user then you easily save money by switching to a PAYG mobile broadband deal.
