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			Pay now	Monthly price	Contract	Speed (Up to)	Downloads	Extras
Sponsored link		215 reviews	Unlimited browsing (3GB fair usage but no extra charges) just £10/mth for the first three months (then £15) on an 18-month contract. Comes with T-Mobile's Night In offer: movie/game rental + snacks for £5						Go to site Check coverage>
1	Dongle info»	384 reviews	FREE	£12 £3 per month off for the whole contract use voucher code 3MBB3OFF	18 months	7.2Mb	5 GBper month	Free delivery plus 14-day money-back guarantee.	Go to site Check coverage>
2	Dongle info»	181 reviews	FREE	£15	1 month	7.2Mb	3 GBper month	Flexible Starter plan with no long-term commitment	Go to site Check coverage>
3	Dongle info»	384 reviews	FREE	£15	24 months	7.2Mb	15 GBper month	Free delivery plus 14-day money-back guarantee.	Go to site Check coverage>
4	Dongle info»	384 reviews	FREE	£7.50 ~~Was £10~~	18 months	7.2Mb	1 GBper month	Free delivery plus 14-day money-back guarantee.	Go to site Check coverage>
5	Dongle info»	384 reviews	FREE	£23	24 months	3.6Mb	15 GBper month	iPod Touch (8GB) . MiFi router connects several devices (such as iPad, laptop, Nintendo DSi) at once wirelessly. 80 free text messages/mth. Free delivery plus 14-day money-back guarantee.	Go to site Check coverage>
6	Dongle info»	384 reviews	£4.99	£15	1 month	7.2Mb	5 GBper month	Free delivery plus 14-day money-back guarantee.	Go to site Check coverage>
7	Dongle info»	384 reviews	FREE	£17	18 months	3.6Mb	5 GBper month	New one-touch MiFi router connects several devices (such as iPad, laptop, Nintendo DSi) at once wirelessly. 20 text messages/mth. Free delivery plus 14-day money-back guarantee.	Go to site Check coverage>
8	Dongle info»	384 reviews	FREE	£20	18 months	7.2Mb	15 GBper month	Free delivery plus 14-day money-back guarantee.	Go to site Check coverage>
9	Dongle info»	83 reviews	FREE	£10	1 month	3.6Mb	1 GBper month	Flexible 1-month contract. Choice of black or white USB dongle. Unlimited Wi-Fi access.	Go to site Check coverage>
10	Dongle info»	384 reviews	£39.99	£15	1 month	3.6Mb	5 GBper month	New one-touch MiFi router connects several devices (such as iPad, laptop, Nintendo DSi) at once wirelessly. 20 text messages/mth. Free delivery plus 14-day money-back guarantee.	Go to site Check coverage>

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Buyers' guide: Mobile broadband card

Now that there are countless options when it comes to getting yourself online it can be a little bit intimidating trying to decide on the correct option that's going to be right for your needs; a mobile broadband card could be one option you consider. Selecting a suitable home broadband package can be time-consuming, although our guides and comparison tables will help you make an informed decision, and hopefully also bag the cheapest deal. Mobile broadband can present with you similar challenges, because there are so many different options to choose from.

While you’re reading up on the large variety of mobile broadband packages that are available, from pay-as-you-go deals through to contract offers, you'll definitely come across the mobile broadband dongle as it’s a key factor in being able to receive the mobile broadband signal. The humble dongle is essentially a small plastic USB stick-like device that plugs into an available USB port on your machine. This then acts as a receiver for the mobile broadband signal that comes through the airwaves in the same was as a mobile phone call would.

There are lots of these dongles available through all of the mobile broadband providers, and, if you’re new to the world of mobile broadband then you may hear them referred to as a few other things along the way too. Dongles might also be called mobile broadband modems, 3G dongles and so on. There are numerous phrases attached to the dongle, but ultimately if they're of the plug-and-play USB variety then they're all basically a variation on the same theme.

Mobile broadband cards

Things take a little bit of a different turn when it comes to mobile broadband cards. Although mobile broadband can still be received by using a mobile broadband card, this route is rather different to utilising the traditional dongle in order to get a signal onto your machine. Both methods end up connecting you to the web, your email and any other online activities that you carry out, but mobile broadband cards are different because they’re not an independent device, like the dongle. While the dongle can be bought and simply plugged into one of the available USB ports on your machine, mobile broadband cards are invariably built and pre-installed inside the machine itself.

Again, you'll probably come across the mobile broadband card under a variety of different guises too, so you might see it referred to as the 3G broadband card, or collectively as wireless broadband cards and mobile broadband modems. Whatever way they’re named, the main thing to remember with these is that you'll find that they’re an integral part of a computer when you buy it, or you may get it as part of a free laptop mobile broadband package. More adventurous computer buffs may also be able to install a third-party variant of the mobile broadband card into a computer too, although as with any modification like this you need to be wary about working on a machine as it could invalidate any warranty or guarantee you have on it.

Mobile broadband cards the easy way

The rather more preferable way to try out a mobile broadband card is to get yourself al laptop deal with a mobile broadband card embedded in it. As you'll see from our sizeable selection of mobile broadband deals within the Broadband Genie site, there isn’t any shortage of available options when it comes to picking a mobile broadband package. First up, prior to selecting the machine that you want for the job, you'll need to work out how much you think you’ll be using your mobile broadband service once you’ve selected it.

Decide whether you think a simple but effective pay-as-you-go package will do the trick, and this can be a prefect cheap choice for people who only casually go online or check a few emails every day. Heavier users will find a contract package more beneficial because these allow the customer to spend more time online with larger data allowances and all for a fixed sum per month. In return you’ll have to show your commitment to the mobile broadband provider and sign on the dotted line. Nowadays you can pick up short term contracts like month-to-month deals, although the norm is more likely to be something like 12, 18 or 24 months.

Your mobile broadband card deal

Once you've got a fair idea how much you think you'll use a mobile broadband package then the next thing is to consider all of the factors that go to making it suitable for your needs. In that respect, be sure to pick through all of the areas of the comparison tables shown above. These will give you an overview of the many and varied deals on offer, including main features such as initial prices, if any, that needs to be paid. You'll also get an idea of monthly costs, the speed of the service and data allowances.

You can also read current 3G internet customer reviews and compare their mobile internet experiences. This can help you decide which is the best UK laptop internet provider (Vodafone, T-Mobile, O2, 3 Mobile or Orange).

Mobile broadband speeds can be affected by a lot of different factors though, so don’t read too much into the quoted figures, they're generally an 'up to' estimate suplied by the providers and the reality will be much less than this. You'll need to check coverage too, which can be done by clicking through on the check coverage links on the right-hand side of the comparison tables. You'll subsequently be taken to the mobile providers sites and, using a post-code or area name, it should be possible to get a decent overview the sort of signal you can hope to get in order to receive the mobile broadband signal.

Which computer?

So once you've got an idea of the mobile broadband service, and package that you think will suit your requirements, then the next thing is to try and match that with a computer that'll make your whole online experience that little bit more enjoyable. After all, if you're going mobile for the very first time then it might be a perfect opportunity for getting yourself some new kit too.

Mobile broadband deals always have some of the best packages available when it comes to getting yourself the right kind of computer. If you like the sound of the mobile broadband card concept, mainly because it'll remove the need for you having to carry a dongle around with you as well as the computer, then pay close attention to the comparison tables. Inside these you'll be able to see which of the machines come with mobile broadband cards or a 3G broadband card preinstalled inside.

Wireless broadband cards that are built-in to a computer or laptop can be a really handy variation on the mobile broadband concept, and there are now a few of these deals in existence. Of course, the other thing to consider is whether you want a regular laptop with a mobile broadband card inside it, or if you'd rather try one of the nifty new netbook or notebook devices that are becoming incredibly popular. If you need a larger-sized machine that has a regular keyboard, albeit slightly shrunken compared to a standard desktop PC, then a traditional laptop makes good sense. These devices also have the benefit of larger screen areas and, generally speaking, the performance is a little bit more up-tempo.

Mobile broadband netbooks

However, it's hard to resist the appeal of a netbook or notebook computer when it comes to portability. The whole point of mobile broadband for a lot of consumers is it’s ability to offer web and email on the go. A small notebook computer allows you to do this simply by plugging in a USB dongle and connecting to the mobile broadband provider that comes with the deal. Now that you can buy machines like this but that come with a mobile broadband card embedded instead it means there's even more flexibility involved.

So if you tire of lugging lots of kit around and want as few peripherals as possible to pack into your travel bag then it's well worth investigating the netbook or notebook deals that pepper our comparison tables. Better still, see if you can spot a machine that comes with the mobile broadband card inside it. You'll then be ready to take your online activities with you wherever you go and enjoy the freedom of not having a dongle to take care of either. This is an option that makes perfect sense for many of today’s mobile broadband users.

Looking for Mobile Broadband Cards?

Just plug a USB dongle into your laptop for broadband on the move

Need help?

Buyers' guide: Mobile broadband card

Mobile broadband cards

Mobile broadband cards the easy way

Your mobile broadband card deal

Which computer?

Mobile broadband netbooks

Top 5 Mobile Broadband Help

Gillian's money-saving deals

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