Written By: Matt Powell
With speeds now faster than ever, and improving all the time with the introduction of 4G and upgraded 3G networks, mobile broadband is finally living up to its name. Mobile internet is useful for all kinds of situations, whether you want to keep working or browsing on the move, or use it in place of a fixed line service.
The only problem is finding the right mobile broadband package. Browse the network provider’s pages or search the comparison sites and you’ll discover a huge choice of contract types, pricing and devices.
How do you know which is right for you? Here are a few guidelines that will help you select the best option that works for you.
Coverage is everything
Network signal strength is the single most important factor to consider when selecting a mobile broadband service. If the signal is poor you’ll find the connection slows to a crawl, and obviously having no coverage in an area will render your mobile broadband useless.
All networks offer coverage check tools which provide an estimate of the signal strength and performance. Some may display a map colour-coded to indicate signal levels, while others simply say whether mobile internet is suitable for that area.
Remember, though, that these are just guidelines. Even in areas of strong coverage you may still encounter not-spots, so if possible you should try to measure the signal yourself with a mobile phone on the same network.
3G or 4G?
4G mobile broadband is now live in the UK. At the time of writing only EE is available, however both O2 and Vodafone are launching very shortly, with Three joining them later in 2013.
4G offers a huge increase in speed, with real world speed tests showing it is capable of 30Mb or more, so with a 4G mobile broadband service you’re getting mobile internet that is capable of beating many fixed line connections.
There are a few catches, though. Coverage will be limited for some time, so outside of urban areas you’ll fall back on 3G. It’s also a little expensive right now, but as competition increases prices will fall. You’ll need new equipment, too, though if you sign up for a contract this will be included.
But if you are interested in a high speed mobile connection you should not discount 3G. Recent upgrades to some networks - notably Three - have boosted 3G speeds so they can compete with 4G. Three’s ultrafast ‘HSDPA+’ network has been speed tested in excess of 20Mb, and they’re rapidly deploying this all over the country.
With the lower pricing, excellent speeds, wide coverage and vast number of supported devices (you may already own a smartphone or dongle which supports HSDPA+), 3G is a viable alternative to the shiny new 4G.
USB and Wi-Fi dongles
Mobile broadband is available with either a USB or mobile Wi-Fi dongle, each with its own distinct advantages.
USB dongles are cheap and commonplace. They look like big memory sticks, and simply slot into a spare port on a laptop or desktop computer. But while they are inexpensive, they’re a little inflexible as you can only use them on a single computer at a time, they only officially support Windows and Mac OS, and will rarely work on tablets or even Linux systems (it’s possible, but not guaranteed, and requires some technical know-how).
In comparison, a Wi-Fi dongle will work with any device which supports wireless networking, as they simply transmit a local Wi-Fi signal. They’re ideal for sharing with multiple devices, which is useful if you have mobile broadband at home in place of a fixed line.
They are a little more expensive, though, and you also need to keep in mind that running multiple devices off a mobile internet link will use a lot more data. You can find a more in-depth comparison of the Wifi & USB devices in Broadband Genie’s dongle guide.
Data usage limits
After you’ve chosen a network with good coverage, this is the next most important factor to consider.
Every mobile broadband package has a set data usage cap - exceed this and you’ll either be charged extra or find the connection restricted.
It’s essential that you select a package which offers sufficient data for your needs. If you’re mostly going to be web browsing and emailing, or only using it very infrequently, an allowance of a few gigabytes will be enough. But once you add in downloading files and streaming media the requirements take a big jump. Online video in particular can consume a large amount of your allowance in a very short space of time
Contract and PAYG
Like mobile phones, mobile broadband is available on either contract or PAYG deals.
Contracts vary from 30 day up to lengthy 24 month commitments. The downside is you are agreeing to pay for the service for this amount of time, even if it goes unused. However contract provides the best value for money, with far higher data allowances compared to spending the same amount on PAYG top-ups, and there will often be no setup fee.
Conversely, PAYG has a steeper entry fee as you will be paying for the dongle, but provides a lot more financial wiggle room. If you can’t afford it one month, or know you aren’t going to use the service, then just don’t buy any credit.
Author Bio: Matt Powell contributes on behalf of Broadband Genie, who are a UK based broadband & mobile broadband consumer advice website.