Is Mobile Broadband Right for You?

Mobile broadband is the ultimate solution for anyone who wants to have Internet access on the move. You can access it anywhere where there is a strong enough mobile phone signal. While most commonly used on an everyday basis on smartphones, mobile broadband is also available for any conventional computer by way of a special USB modem. Mobile broadband is often known as 3G, the protocol which is used for mobile Internet. 4G, the latest generation of the technology, is currently being unveiled around the United Kingdom. It offers faster and more reliable connections. Mobile broadband is now widely available and there are many different offers to choose from. However, do you really need it?

Where Mobile Broadband Is Useful

Mobile Internet is not really comparable to fixed-line ADSL or cable Internet. However, it does have its uses in numerous situations where there are no other ways to access the Web.

• In some areas, ADSL or cable Internet is still unavailable, or even if it is, services might be slow or unreliable. Provided that you can receive a mobile signal in the area, you should be able to use mobile broadband from the same provider. While coverage is certainly not universal, it is usually more extensive than the standard broadband types.
• Mobile broadband is useful for accessing the Internet while on the move. If you work from home, you may want to try working in other public places where there might not be a wireless connection available. With mobile broadband, you can work anywhere from the beach to the park. You can also use it when commuting to work or when on a road trip, although the speed and reliability is not as good when you are in a fast-moving vehicle.
• When moving house, mobile broadband can be useful for accessing the Internet while you are waiting for a more permanent solution.

What Mobile Broadband Is Not

While the technology is improving, coverage is expanding and prices are dropping, mobile broadband is still not ideal in certain situations. Before signing up for a contract, take the following factors into consideration.

• Although it may be the only option for fast Internet access in some areas, mobile broadband is generally not a satisfactory substitute for ADSL or cable Internet. You will usually still want to have a fixed-line broadband connection at home even if you do sign up for a mobile broadband connection.
• You will typically have very low monthly download limits. Mobile Internet limits can be as little as 250 megabytes per month, making it only any good for some occasional light browsing and emailing. The situation is improving and there are now packages available offering download limits of as much as ten gigabytes. However, these are still low for most heavy Internet users.
• It does not offer ultra-fast reliable Internet. Although the rollout of the fourth generation of mobile broadband (4G) offers average speeds of 8Mbps, it is still not widely available. Mobile Internet is generally several times slower than most other broadband connectivity types, particularly in urban areas.

Finding Broadband Deals in the UK

Mobile broadband packages are available from all of the major mobile phone networks in the United Kingdom. These include EE, 3, Orange, Vodafone and O2. Each of these companies offer a variety of packages from cheap ones with very low monthly download limits to those with much more generous usage limits. All of the main suppliers also provide a USB dongle, allowing you to access your mobile Internet connection from any computer.

You can compare mobile broadband packages online by visiting any of the major financial comparison websites such as comparethemarket.com, confused.com or uswitch.com. Before taking out a contract, be sure that the network you are choosing has coverage in your area. For example, you might only be able to get mobile coverage for Vodafone, but not O2, in your particular area of the country. For some additional peace of mind, you may also want to try reading customer reviews before choosing a particular service.

Laura Ginn likes the freedom to surf the internet that comes from using mobile broadband. Visit http://www.uswitch.com/broadband/mobile_broadband/ to learn more about mobile broadband.