Mobile broadband dongles: the basics
If you're just starting to think about taking on a mobile broadband dongle (or a mobile Wi-Fi or MiFi unit), but aren't sure of what it is, how it compares to fixed-line home broadband (ADSL or cable), or how the various deals and providers differ, you've come to the right place.
We won't talk about specific data speeds and prices here, as it's likely one of the providers will have cranked a little extra out if its network before we can say "open sesame". However, once you've read this beginners' guide to mobile broadband comparison, you'll be able to choose the best mobile broadband dongle or MiFi for you.
What is mobile broadband?
Mobile broadband gives you the ability to obtain a laptop internet signal when you're on the move. It's fully functional and can be pretty fast, much like the broadband on your PC or Mac and lets you access the web, download songs or films and send emails.
Mobile broadband works like your mobile phone, using a SIM card which is either embedded in a dongle or increasingly in the laptop itself. The laptop then connects to the web via the mobile phone network associated with your provider.
How to compare mobile broadband deals
If you've searched around for the best mobile phone contract, you'll recognise the usual suspects when doing your mobile broadband comparison:
Each offers a range of packages, so even if you know which provider you want to go with, it's worth going through the various options.
- Hardware: Do you just need a dongle for your current laptop, or do you want a shiny new laptop into the bargain? One of your biggest choices will be whether you want a dongle-only or dongle-plus-laptop deal.
- Setup: Most deals now have free set-up, but it's worth checking that your super cheap deal doesn't have a set-up cost that takes the shine off.
- Monthly price: Check the red tag for the monthly cost, but also look for text below the tag because many deals come with added bonuses or introductory deals
- Contract: As with mobile phones, you can either 'pay-as-you-go' or get a contract from anywhere from 1 to 24 months.
- Speed: This is the advertised speed each provider claims you will be able to download data from the internet at, which is measured in megabits per second (Mb). For most users, it equates to how fast a web page takes to appear, or how fast a song will download.
- Downloads: This is the total amount you are allowed to download per month. It can be seen as the equivalent of how many minutes and texts you get with your mobile phone package, but measured in gigabytes (GBs).
While advertised speeds can vary quite dramatically, tests seem to suggest averages around the networks on mobile 3G broadband aren't consistently different enough to warrant it being a serious factor in your choice.
As for download limits, it's worth bearing in mind that 1GB could get you 250-1,000 songs, but just one reasonable quality film or a few TV episodes - even less if you're after HD. If you want to download a lot of movie files, it's probably worth using your fixed-line home broadband instead, keeping your mobile wireless broadband connection for lighter usage while on the move.
Avoid the pitfalls
- Laptops: While that free laptop may look pretty sexy, remember there is no such thing as a free lunch; the cost is probably worked into the price and length of the contract you are signing up for. However, this can still be a cost effective way of getting the hardware you need now, while paying later.
- Heavy usage: As we mentioned, mobile broadband isn't really set up for the heavy user; what the providers call 'run on fees' can be massive (although T-Mobile sells itself on being more lenient in this regard), so if you think you may hit the limits of the deal, it may not be for you.
- Going abroad: Be very wary of using mobile broadband abroad; the costs can be astronomical. If you want to use the mobile internet while roaming, be sure to look into the consequences first, or seek out an overseas package.
- Coverage: Even in the UK, coverage can be an issue just in the same way it can be with your mobile; don't forget, you're connecting to a mobile network. Once you have decided on a provider and have clicked through to its website from here, be sure to check that there is good coverage in your area.
What is a dongle?
In order to be able to connect to the internet whilst you’re on the move, a mobile broadband service requires you to plug in a USB modem, otherwise known as a stick or 'dongle', into a USB port on your laptop. In the same way as a mobile phone works, a dongle gives you access to broadband using a mobile phone network, preferably via a 3G internet connection.
USB dongles are lightweight, portable devices – generally not any bigger than a USB stick you might use for storing data, such as photographs or music.
USB dongles are the favoured gadget for most mobile broadband customers, as they’re very easy to operate – in most cases you simply plug the device into a USB port on your laptop, the device installs itself, and you’re up and running… well, surfing, in minutes! For those who don’t like the idea of carrying around a separate device, there is an alternative – the mobile broadband data card. You can see these as they’re housed inside the body of your laptop. However, these can be pricey to install, or if your laptop comes with one from a certain mobile provider, it may mean you cannot change to another one easily while still using that machine.
Pay-as-you-go dongles
Pay As You Go dongles are growing very rapidly in popularity as they do not require a long-term contract to enable a PC, laptop or notebook user to connect to the internet. The customer simply has to buy a dongle which has a set amount of time and data download capabilities.
The dongle is then plugged in to the computer as a plug-and-play device allowing for instant broadband access to the internet without a contract. The customer just uses the connection until they have used up the available amount of cash they originally purchased.
They can then just repeat the process thus avoiding a contract commitment of 12, 18 or 24 months to a mobile broadband operator. This system works very well for many users, providing them with access to the Internet, albeit with a limit in the time and the amount of available download before the credit is exhausted.
Customers who make use of their computer for longer periods of time each month very often opt to sign up for a contract with one of the big operators such as Vodafone, 3 Mobile, O2, T-Mobile or Orange.
Pay monthly dongles
Although the same operators also offer pay-as-you-go deals, many people prefer the added convenience of long-term contract connection. The two systems basically operate in the same way making use of a broadband dongle to connect the computer to the Internet.
A contract connection offers the advantage of being simpler and cheaper to run on a month-to-month basis than pay-as-you-go wireless dongles. The savings can actually be quite considerable if you make a large amount of use of your internet connection each month.
Downloading can be far more practical financially with a long-term contract. Many people feel that 18 or 24-month commitments can be outpaced by developments in the mobile broadband connection field. Therefore the most popular contract is one for 12 months giving a good degree of flexibility to move with the ever-changing broadband times.
In this way should you find a deal that suits your needs better, or there is a new technological developments with connection capabilities it is not a prohibitively long period until your contract comes up for renewal.
Both Pay As You Go and contract connections offer advantages and disadvantages. It is wise to consider which best suits your personal broadband Internet needs. As a rule of thumb longer hours spent surfing the web each month or large amounts of data download requirements favour a long-term contract.
Less time spent surfing and little need for major amounts of data download are best suited to be more flexible Pay As You Go dongle connections.
FAQs
Is mobile broadband easy to set up? In short, yes it is. While many people will tell you horror stories about setting up their home broadband, it tends to be a straightforward and quick process for mobile broadband. Once the mobile broadband SIM has been inserted into the dongle, it simply plugs into a USB port on your laptop. The dongle also acts as an external drive, containing all the set up files needed, and following the simple instructions should have you surfing within a few minutes.
Where can I use mobile broadband? In short, anywhere you can use your mobile phone. You are connecting to the internet via the same network, so as long as you have a signal you'll be online. So whether you want to look up the closest donkey rides when you're on the beach, the nearest Little Chef when you're on the motorway, or the nearest bath when you're in a field at Glastonbury, you should be OK. However, connection speeds can vary wildly, depending on location.
Is mobile broadband as fast as my home broadband? Frankly, no, and while it's getting better all the time that day is a long way off. What it offers is flexibility, with speed being the biggest pay off. However, many will find it perfectly adequate for tasks such as checking email and looking at the web.
Is mobile broadband different to Wi-Fi? Yes, although some mobile broadband providers include Wi-Fi minutes in their mobile broadband bundles – look for these deals in the 'package' column. If you take one of these packages, the connection will change over to Wi-Fi if you are in a public 'hotspot' (such as a café or airport) that has a deal in place with your provider.
Also, remember there is now mobile Wi-Fi (or MiFi) - little gadgets that let you share your mobile broadband signal with friends or between your own other internet enabled devices. Don't get the two confused!
Does the dongle double up as a USB memory stick? Can it house a micro SD memory card?
If you regularly carry out important work on your laptop and need to transfer data between computers, a memory stick is a very handy gadget indeed. A mobile broadband dongle that has this double purpose will save you carrying around two devices.
What is the maximum download speed and maximum upload speed?
This will matter a lot if you’re a heavy broadband user. If it’s particularly important you can download data such as email attachments quickly, look out for dongles capable of faster speeds. To save looking through every package though, the quickest method is to click on the ‘Speed’ header at the top of the comparison table. Currently the fastest mobile broadband dongle speed you can set yourself up with is ‘up to’ 7.2Mb.
Upload speed may not be as relevant to some, but it’s an important consideration to make if you like to share things such as photos, or need to be able to upload to an FTP service for work.
Will it work with my operating system?
It would be frustrating for you to take your dongle home, only to find that it doesn’t work on your Windows Vista operating system, or on your old Mac. Most newer dongles are compatible with current operating systems, but you’re advised to check before you buy.
Will it work abroad?
This will very much depend on the price of the dongle; some USB modems are blocked for use in the UK only. Others allow you to connect to your mobile broadband service in Europe or US, whilst others can connect across the globe. However, surfing abroad (often called 'roaming') can have massive cost implications.
Whatever dongle you choose to settle for, if it is capable of use overseas it is vital that you make sure you are completely aware of all data roaming costs involved – other than dedicated business traveller mobile broadband packages, assume that you won’t be able to make use of any bundled data cap and that you will be charged extra for all browsing and downloading.
Using Mobile Broadband Genie
Armed with information, you should now be able to surf the site with confidence. Scroll back up to the top of this page for a look at the current top 10 deals as ranked by sales popularity through the site, taken from our own independent stats.
If you need more help deciding, our customer reviews may give you some important pointers. You can also order the columns to meet your own specific requirement, by clicking price, contract, speed, downloads or set-up at the top of their corresponding columns. Alternatively, click on advanced search and filters to customise things further.
Once you've found the right package for your needs, not just solely the cheapest, click through to be taken through to the provider's own website and you'll be setting up your new mobile broadband deal a few minutes later.
