Mobile broadband is at the cutting edge of internet technologies, and is made possible thanks to a marriage of both broadband internet and mobile networking facilities. A cut down version of the internet has been available in various forms on mobile phones for a few years now, but it is only recently, with the introduction of the third generation of mobile networks, or 3G, that the speed of data transfer between mobile devices and web servers has finally come closer to the kinds of speeds you would expect from a home, landline broadband connection.

So What's the Big Deal?

Well, because mobile broadband can be accessed anywhere that there is network coverage you don't need to have a landline in your home and therefore you're saving money on line rental. It also means that you can go up and down the country and still get a fast broadband connection, so you don't have to rely on wireless networks in cafes or expensive hotel broadband that is often offered.

How does Mobile Broadband Work?

When you decide on your mobile broadband ISP they will likely send you a Mobile Broadband USB dongle. This dongle is much like a USB memory stick in its physical make up, but within the plastic housing is a USB modem and a receiver that will allow you to connect to the mobile broadband network and start surfing. The great thing about the USB dongle is that it's small, compact and you can just plug it straight into your PC or laptop and all the necessary software should be there for you to install, so it's not a hassle to use.

What are the Restrictions?

You'll have to sign up for a fixed term with your ISP, which will be between 12 and 24 months, though the average is usually 18. You'll have to pay monthly for your broadband and you'll have a data usage allowance each month that you cannot exceed without facing either being cut off until the start of the next payment period or having to shell out more money for extra usage.


What this means is that every time you use your connection, whether it's for surfing the web, streaming video or downloading, you'll eat away at a bit of your monthly allowance. You can get deals that only give you 1GB of data usage, but you'll probably want a minimum of 3GB if you're using your mobile broadband for anything more than just checking emails. The more you're willing to pay the more usage you can get, and if you've got the dough you could get up to 15GB a month, which is more than most people will need.

How Fast is Mobile Broadband?

That depends on two things. The first is the capabilities of the USB dongle that is supplied. The most basic ones are capable of only 1 or 2 Mbps download speeds, but if you're willing to pay more your ISP may be able to offer you a better specced USB dongle. The second restriction is the speed of the ISPs networks. The maximum speed currently available is 7.2Mbps, but average network speeds for most IPS are around 3.6Mbps. Speed is also dependant on how good your coverage is in the area you're using your mobile broadband.