3G Mobile Broadband

• Pay monthly
• Pay as you go
• Free laptop
• Mobile Wi-Fi
• Tablets & iPads

		Setup	Monthly price	Contract	Speed	Downloads
Sponsored link	301 reviews	Pay Up Front Mobile broadband - Now only £29.99 - 90 days usage included Unlimited browsing: No extra charges over 1GB fair use but peak time downloading/streaming may be restricted.					Go Check coverage>
1	548 reviews	FREE	£15.99/mth	24 months	7.2Mbmax speed	15 GBper month	Go 0800 988 8147Check coverage>
	Standard Broadband 15GB	Extras: High-speed HSPA+ dongle (up to 21Mb).
2	548 reviews	FREE	£13.32+ VAT/mth	24 months	7.2Mbmax speed	15 GBper month	Go Check coverage>
	Everyday Business Broadband 15GB	Extras: High-speed HSPA+ dongle (up to 21Mb) BUSINESS CUSTOMERS ONLY
3	548 reviews	FREE	£15/mth	1 month	7.2Mbmax speed	10 GBper month	Go Check coverage>
	Mobile broadband SIM only	Extras: Mobile broadband SIM
4	301 reviews	FREE	£10/mth	24 months	4.5Mbmax speed	1 GBper month(fair use policy)	Go Check coverage>
	Wireless Pointer - Pay monthly	Extras: Unlimited browsing: no extra charges over 1GB fair usage, but downloading/streaming restricted at peak times
5	266 reviews	£9	£15/mth	1 month	7.2Mbmax speed	2 GBper month	Go Check coverage>
	Regular User 1 month 2GB	Extras: If you go over 2GB/mth extra data costs £15 for 1GB. Includes 1GB/30 days free Wi-Fi with BT Openzone. 30-day money back guarantee.
6	266 reviews	FREE	£15/mth	18 months	7.2Mbmax speed	2 GBper month	Go Check coverage>
	Mobile WiFi	Extras: Connects up to five devices to the internet. If you go over 2GB/mth extra data costs £15 for 1GB.
7	3 monthsHALF PRICE 266 reviews	FREE	£10/mth £20 after 3 months	18 months	7.2Mbmax speed	2 GBper month	Go Check coverage>
	Regular User 18 month 2GB + 4GB WiFi	Offer: 3 months half price Extras: 2GB data allowance anytime, plus 4GB Wi-Fi via BT Openzone FREE Premium PC protection package and 20GB of PC backup. 30-day money back guarantee.
8	548 reviews	£4.99	£15.99/mth	1 month	7.2Mbmax speed	5 GBper month	Go 0800 988 8147Check coverage>
	Standard Broadband 5GB	Extras: High-speed HSPA+ dongle (up to 21Mb).
9	548 reviews	£49.99	£15.99/mth	1 month	7.2Mbmax speed	5 GBper month	Go 0800 988 8147Check coverage>
	MiFi Broadband 5GB	Extras: New high-speed HSPA+ Mi-Fi dongle (up to 21Mb), connects up to five devices to the internet at once, wirelessly.
10	548 reviews	FREE	£18.99/mth	24 months	7.2Mbmax speed	15 GBper month	Go 0800 988 8147Check coverage>
	MiFi Broadband 15GB	Extras: New high-speed HSPA+ Mi-Fi dongle (up to 21Mb) available in black or white, connects up to five devices to the internet at once, wirelessly. 30 text messages/mth.

3G Broadband: Buyers' Guide

Traditional ways of getting broadband such as ADSL or cable are brilliant, but they don't let you have much in the way of freedom if you need to get online when you're away from home or work, like 3G broadband.

High-speed internet access has been transformed thanks to the advent of mobile broadband, which allows users to dip into their email and surf the web pretty much wherever they want. Thanks to 3G broadband, it's possible to enjoy even faster access to the web and email than ever before. Whether on holiday, on the train, or as a back up to your fixed-line service, 3G mobile broadband can be a massive help wherever you're trying to get online.

In essence, the 3G mobile broadband standard relates to the third generation technology currently being employed by network providers to deliver fast and more efficient mobile services. Previously, the standard was 2G or GSM, but this is gradually being superseded by 3G mobile broadband.

Improvements in the way mobile broadband signals are delivered means that 2G has become largely outmoded, although it's often still used when 3G Internet availability is limited or non existent. We should also eventually see a 4G standard replace this format as mobile providers update their network infrastructure.

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3G mobile broadband is faster!

The rise in coverage of mobile phone networks has resulted in a huge take up of 3G wireless broadband services. That's not surprising because it allows customers to enjoy much a much faster service, with average speeds above 1Mb - easily fast enough for checking email and surfing the web.

The great thing about 3G wireless broadband, alongside the increased speed and efficiency of the service, is it can be accessed across a wider geographical area than older technology. All you need to do is make sure you can access the 3G mobile broadband network. A compatible device like a laptop or netbook and the associated kit is essential. You also need to make sure you will get good coverage in the areas you want laptop Internet most.

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Who can deliver 3G mobile broadband to me?

There are plenty of options available to consumers now that all of the main mobile network providers offer the services of 3G wireless broadband. You only have to scour our 3G broadband comparison charts above to see the vast array of mobile 3G broadband deals that are on offer and read through customer reviews to find out about their experiences with different providers.

All of the major mobile broadband ISPs have 3G broadband deals on offer, although it's a good idea to investigate any that you're interested in carefully because they all have very different terms and conditions.

Currently, you can pick up mobile broadband deals from the five mobile network operators in the UK, 3 Mobile Broadband, O2 Mobile Broadband, Orange Mobile Broadband, T-Mobile and Vodafone. There is also Virgin Media Mobile Broadband, which piggybacks on the T-Mobile network.

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Is 3G mobile broadband better than wireless?

One of the best things about 3G mobile broadband is that you'll get much more freedom than that afforded by its close cousin wireless broadband, or Wi-Fi. If you currently access the web or email using wireless connectivity at home or in the office, then you'll know it requires a cable connected static router to send the broadband signal to your computer over a relatively short distance.

Alternatively, if you're out and about, wireless needs to be accessed via a Wi-Fi hotspot and, while  growing in number all the time, these aren't always quick, cheap or convenient for getting connected to - and you often have to pay extra premium prices.

A 3G mobile broadband service, on the other hand, dispenses with a lot of the faffing around associated with traditional broadband access and replaces it with a quick and easy method for enjoying your online services.

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What do I need to get 3G wireless broadband?

Once you've signed up for a 3G broadband internet deal, one of the first things you'll realise is you don't need as with a traditional broadband setup.

Mobile 3G broadband can be accessed with just a USB stick, USB dongles or a built-in 3G card. Yup, that's right - no cables, connectors and other bits of mess associated with landline-based services.

One of the biggest benefits emerging from the lack of cables and kit is that 3G broadband card gives you the freedom for accessing the web wirelessly wherever you are, just as long as there's adequate coverage. Most people now connect with a simple dongle - they plug in via a USB slot on your laptop, set up themselves without prompting, and as long as you've got credit away you go.

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Compare 3G wireless broadband coverage

While there are certainly plenty of 3G mobile broadband deals on offer at any given time, you'll still need to do your homework prior to signing up with a mobile provider to work out the cheapest.

One major thing to watch with 3G mobile broadband is the speed and quality of coverage offered. Like any other mobile service, this can tend to fluctuate depending on the area you are in, due to the amount of users on a network at any one time and the distance you are from a mobile internet mast.

Despite the fact 3G mobile broadband is now the standard, certain areas in the UK are less efficient at delivering an acceptable quality mobile broadband signal. This is often as the areas are less populated, so less profitable for the mobile broadband suppliers - its just an unfortunate reality in business.

There's little point in signing up for 3G mobile broadband deals if the area that you spend most of your time in is poorly served when it comes to 3G coverage. Each internet service provider has a postcode coverage checker - make sure you should get good coverage in the areas you'll use most.

Also, make sure you buy online! So less scrupulous stores may sell you a service that the coverage checkers say will work for you, but in reality when you try it, it doesn't. A shop has no requirement by law to refund you, unless it sets it out in its own terms and conditions. However, if you buy online, you are covered by the UK's Distance Selling Regulations, meaning that by law any online sale can be returned within seven working days for a refund if you're not satisfied. 

Similarly frustrating can be the coverage levels found in public areas such as trains, which can be subject to fluctuations in speed and efficiency of service. This is down to a number of factors, although patchy coverage and a high volume of users can be two of the main reasons for a disappointing level of mobile 3G broadband access.

Other annoying factors such as thick walls, interference with household items and our highly changeable weather patterns can also interfere with standard of coverage from the 3G wireless broadband network.

So even if you do your research into the geographical areas you're likely to visit and they show good levels of signal availability, there is always the chance that you could have a few headaches once you get there, thanks to the way mobile 3G internet can be affected by these other obstacles.

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Speed of service offered by 3G broadband

You'll often find that speeds delivered via a 3G mobile broadband provider may well be rather different to those stated in advertisements. We at Broadband Genie are trying our best to get the internet service providers to be more honest about the reachable speeds, but it's an uphill struggle.

If you are in a good 3G area that isn't being contested by a lot of other users at the time, you may get a speed in excess of 3Mb. However, anything over about 1.5Mb is above average currently. Often, especially on the move, you'll drop to the 2G network instead and, as a result, could end up with speeds that make even loading a web page tough.

So whatever you do, don't rely on 3G mobile broadband in important situations - especially not for urgent or sustained high usage. The pricing is not designed for high level downloading, such as movies and games. Its brilliant at what it does, but it can't do everything!

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What kind of deal is best?

There are many and varied 3G broadband deals, as displayed in our comparison charts above. However, these can be divided into two basic categories, which are the contract 3G mobile broadband type or the 3G mobile broadband pay-as-you-go (PAYG) option.

If you're not going to use it regularly - say the occasional day here and there - or are just wanting to try out 3G mobile broadband before you commit long term, it is probably better to go for a PAYG deal. Pay-as-you-go 3G mobile broadband access can be a great idea and very cost effective if you're an occasional user, perhaps for holidays or trips.

Otherwise, its probably best to look into a fixed-term 3G mobile broadband contract.  Due to the pressure on the 3G mobile broadband networks, thanks to so many people using smartphones and laptops,  the data limits have been pretty static, or sometimes even getting lower. This means that even occasional users will often find a contract to suit there needs, which will always save money over a PAYG deal.

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Any additional benefits of 3G mobile broadband?

You'll also find that contract deals for mobile 3G broadband are more likely to throw in free gifts or special offers, such as so-called 'free' laptops and  a free dongle as part of the package. This can be a good way to go, although remember that a laptop in these deals is never free - its more like hire purchase, and you'll pay for it over the length of the contract with higher monthly fees.

Nevertheless, this can be a cost effective option if you’re looking to spread the cost of a new computer over a set period of time and also ensure that you've got an up to date machine that's more than capable of utlising the best aspects of 3G broadband internet. This is because it'll have either a 3G card or USB dongle in order to get connected quickly and efficiently.

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Pitfalls of 3G mobile broadband deal

Whatever the 3G broadband deal that you select, be sure to keep an eye on the terms and conditions. You'll often find that there can be limits, or caps as they're referred to, on how much data you can upload and download. Keep a close eye on your usage, as going over it can become expensive fast. A 3G mobile provider will have all of this information clearly set out in their terms and conditions and you can also use our 3G wireless broadband comparison information to check what stipulations are in place for the 3G deal that you're most interested in.

Similarly, beware of restrictions on overseas use, because accessing a 3G mobile broadband network while you're away can be expensive, and it is not included in your basic package. Some mobile providers prevent you from using 3G mobile broadband services outside the UK.

Ultimately though, 3G mobile broadband is still a great and highly convenient way of enjoying high-speed internet access.

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Top 5 Mobile Broadband Help Guides

• Mobile Broadband Beginners Guide
• Mobile Broadband Coverage
• Mobile Broadband Download Limits
• Using Mobile Broadband Abroad
• Mobile Broadband Awards

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