Mobile broadband is the new kid on the block in terms of consumer broadband technologies, and offers a completely liberate broadband experience. You don't need any land line and you don't necessarily need to commit to a fixed monthly fee or even a long term contract.

There are of course some restrictions and it's not perfect, but it's a growing industry and technology that experts predict will keep on getting better for the next three years, so keep your ear to the ground and consider mobile broadband.

Mobile Broadband - How it Works

Mobile broadband uses the latest and greatest 3G mobile networks in order to provide broadband speeds on both the most modern mobile phone handsets and now on your PC or Laptop. Speeds of up to 7.2Mbps are theoretically possible on some of the mobile broadband Internet Service Provider's networks, but in reality the actual speed you get will depend on the strength of the signal and where you are in the country.

You can either sign up for a pay monthly contract or a pay as you go, but whichever one you choose you'll need a Mobile Broadband USB dongle. This is usually provided for free when you commit to a fixed term contract of 12 months or more, or for a one off fee if you opt for pay as you go, and it will plug straight into any USB slot on your PC or Laptop.

The dongles are usually the same size and shape as USB memory sticks many people have knocking around, and they will come with all the software you'll need to get connected to the mobile broadband network. The dongle contains a modem in order to transmit and receive data, and it is this tiny little item that has really made mobile broadband popular.

Mobile Broadband - The Packages and Options to Consider

If you're planning on getting a pay monthly mobile broadband contract then you can pay anything from £10 a month up to £30 or more, and your money will dictate two key things. Firstly you will have a monthly data allowance. This will be measured in Gigabytes, and the lowest monthly allowance available is usually 1GB.

This amounts to around 10 hours of web browsing or some very light downloading, and should only really be considered if you aren't planning on using your mobile broadband connection that much. If you pay only slightly more you could get between 3GB and 15GB per month, depending on providers, but of course you will pay more for the more generous deals.

Once you reach your limit you will either have your service cut off until the start of a new billing period or you may be charged for any additional use, but again this depends on the provider so check the small print. The second thing your monthly cost will go towards is the type of USB dongle that is provided.

The more you pay the higher spec the dongle will be, which will usually translate into higher download speeds and upload speeds or even dual functionality as a memory stick. Most providers have a variety of dongle options, so read through the various specifications carefully and pick the one that's right for you.