USB Dongles

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		Setup	Monthly price	Contract	Speed	Downloads
Sponsored link	312 reviews	Pay Up Front Mobile broadband - Only £29.99 - with 90 days usage included (data worth £45) Unlimited browsing: No extra charges over 1GB fair use but peak time downloading/streaming may be restricted.					Go Check coverage>
1	577 reviews	FREE	£18.99/mth	24 months	7.2Mbmax speed	15 GBper month	Go 0800 988 8147Check coverage>
	MiFi Broadband 15GB	Extras: HSPA+ Mi-Fi router, available in black or white, connects up to five Wi-Fi devices
2	577 reviews	FREE	£15.99/mth	24 months	7.2Mbmax speed	15 GBper month	Go 0800 988 8147Check coverage>
	Standard Broadband 15GB	Extras: HSPA+ dongle
3	577 reviews	FREE	£15/mth	1 month	7.2Mbmax speed	10 GBper month	Go Check coverage>
	Mobile broadband SIM only	Extras: Mobile broadband SIM
4	577 reviews	£49.99 + VAT	£13.32+ VAT/mth	24 months	7.2Mbmax speed	15 GBper month	Go Check coverage>
	MiFi Business Broadband 15GB	Extras: HSPA+ Mi-Fi router, available in black or white, connects up to five Wi-Fi devices BUSINESS CUSTOMERS ONLY
5	577 reviews	£19.99	£15.99/mth	1 month	7.2Mbmax speed	5 GBper month	Go 0800 988 8147Check coverage>
	Premium Broadband 5GB	Extras: HSPA+ dongle. Rotating head allows dongle to sit vertically acting as an aerial for improved signal.
6	577 reviews	£49.99	£15.99/mth	1 month	7.2Mbmax speed	5 GBper month	Go 0800 988 8147Check coverage>
	MiFi Broadband 5GB	Extras: HSPA+ Mi-Fi router, available in black or white, connects up to five Wi-Fi devices
7	FREEfor 3 months 312 reviews	FREE	FREE £8.50 after 3 months	18 months	4.5Mbmax speed	1 GBper month(fair use policy)	Go Check coverage>
	Business Pay monthly	Extras: Unlimited browsing: no extra charges over 1GB/mth fair usage, but downloading/streaming restricted at peak times
8	3 monthsHALF PRICE 271 reviews	FREE	£7.50/mth £15 after 3 months	18 months	7.2Mbmax speed	2 GBper month	Go Check coverage>
	Occasional User 18 month 2GB + 2GB WiFi	Offer: 3 months half price Extras: 2GB data allowance anytime, plus 2GB Wi-Fi via BT Openzone. 30-day money back guarantee
9	98 reviews	FREE	£25/mth	18 months	Undisclosed	5 GBper month	Go Check coverage>
	Mobile WiFi Large 18 Months	Extras: Connects up to five devices to the internet at once, wirelessly. 5GB anytime plus Unlimited BT Openzone Wi-Fi and 2 for 1 cinema tickets with Orange Wednesdays
10	98 reviews	FREE	£25/mth	18 months	Undisclosed	5 GBper month	Go Check coverage>
	E 367 Large 18 month	Extras: 5GB anytime plus Unlimited BT Openzone Wi-Fi plus 2 for 1 cinema tickets with Orange Wednesdays

USB dongle: the basics

Who'd ever have thought that a phrase like USB dongle would become so commonplace? Now that dongle prices have dropped to nothing in many cases, we can all own one without feeling any financial pain and enjoy a lot more 3G broadband web browsing gain. Ever since the advent of wireless broadband, the humble USB dongle has become part of the kit requirement for getting online.

Admittedly, there are a few mobile broadband providers who still charge for a USB dongle, which you'll be able to see in the comparison tables we've set out above. However, if you don't mind paying for your USB wireless dongle then you'll find that this will invariably offer you rather more in the way of flexibility.

Certainly, in the case of being to download lots more data, you'll find that a paid for USB internet dongle will offer a much bigger quota. So, for example, where a regular free USB dongle deal might allow 3 to 5GB of data to be downloaded from the 3G internet supply, a USB dongle modem with a price tag around its neck will probably give you a much chunkier limit per month, possibly up to 20GB.

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Using a USB wireless dongle on the move

That's pretty good if you spend a lot of time surfing the web and keeping tabs on your email. Add to that the convenience of being able to plug a USB dongle into a laptop or netbook computer while you're on the go and it's a great way to stay online. Mind you, even the best USB dongle modem can be susceptible to coverage issues.

The easiest way to check whether or not you'll be subjected to problems is to use the Check coverage link under the Go button in our tables above. Simply click on the link, enter your postcode or a place name in the UK and you'll be able to get a detailed overview of the area in question.

Some examples will show a dynamic map that displays coverage quality for 3G and mobile broadband, along with standard services. It gives an invaluable insight into what you might be able to expect in terms of performance from your USB dongle once you've plugged in and connected.

Other mobile providers will just give you an estimated level of coverage, but either way, you'll get a reasonable idea what to expect from your USB dongle.

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Poor performing USB dongles

Of course, some of the results may well come back with a poor signal indication. In fact, you may find that there's no coverage at all, so even if you've got a state-of-the-art USB 3G dongle, chances are that you'll be unable to go online. There are numerous areas of the UK that don't have a mobile wireless broadband signal and many others that are so poorly covered that there's barely enough coverage to allow even snails-paced web surfing.

So you may pick a USB wireless dongle package with a healthy data quota allowed, but you might not be able to use it to its full potential. It's a good idea to ask friends, family or work colleagues what sort of performance they get if they're using a mobile broadband USB dongle. Little or no coverage will soon become the main talking point if you're in an area that is poorly served.

This can be either due to geographical limitations like being in the middle of nowhere and no sign of a mobile network signal. Or, and a lot of people tend to forget this, the conditions aren't able to allow a decent mobile broadband signal to reach your dongle, even if it's a bells and whistles device, with 3G and all the rest of it.

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The downside of USB dongles

Sometimes it can be really irritating factors that'll interfere with your mobile broadband signal, such as other devices including unexpected devices like baby monitors. Inclement or unusual weather conditions and also very thick walls and other obstacles can have a similar effect on your surfing time.

So having a USB dongle plugged into your computer may not always be the answer to your online prayers, but it'll certainly give you a lot more freedom than being stuck in front of your machine at home. Just be sure to do your homework via our comparison tables and the associated tools in order to minimize the risk that you buy a USB dongle that ends up being little or no use.

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Dongle prices: why pay

The old adage about getting what you pay for has a ring of truth in the world of USB dongle prices. A free dongle will get you started and enable you to enjoy the benefits of mobile internet, but spend some time reading through our dongle price comparison tables and you'll soon see the added bonus of spending a little bit more, as well as it may not always be overall the cheapest option.

Prices often reflect the level of features or performance you can hopefully squeeze out of a dongle. For example, some USB 3G dongles at the top of the deal tree boast higher-performance antennas or there might be a free microSD card thrown in for good measure. Cheap offers tend to come and go or hang around for limited periods of time, but there are always added extras that mobile providers throw in to add as an extra incentive.

You'll find that a paid-for USB dongle modem may well come with far less restrictions on the level of usage, although remember that if you have Wi-Fi functionality you can use this as well. There might be unlimited browsing on a contract dongle for example, while free USB dongles may have more constraints on usage, plus pay-as-you-go USB dongles will obviously only work as long as they have credit available on them.

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Go for the USB dongle deals

If you're in the market for mobile broadband and looking at USB dongle prices then it's a great idea to scour our comparison tables and pay close attention to what's included in the break down. Alongside the basic, but critical information, such as price, if any, speed of service and data allowances per month, have a look on the far right of the columns when you do your dongle price comparison to see what else is up for grabs on the freebie or incentive front when it comes to mobile internet.

You'll find that mobile network providers who are offering a free USB 3G dongle in their current offers, featured in our dongle price comparison tables, might also have other freebies up for grabs. Sometimes it could be a free pay-as-you-go SIM card for a friend, a free backup service for your PC or other little titbits such as free cinema tickets or game and move rental offers, all as part of the package.

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Carry out a USB internet dongle price comparison

Whatever the USB dongle modem that you go for, it's crucial to carry out a dongle price comparison study. You can sort all of the fields in our comparison tables above, including being able to make price the main contender. But remember, it's not just about price.

If you're a casual mobile broadband user then opting for free USB dongles will probably stand you in good stead, because you'll get the convenience of plug-and-play USB dongle freedom without spending a fortune.

But if you've got more demanding requirements from the ubiquitous USB wireless dongle then you'll probably want to look into paying for the privilege, because of the added perks that often come with spending a little bit of extra cash.

Broadband Genie not only offers comparison on prices and the various aspects of 3G broadband through a dongle, but you can read and compare current wireless internet customers reviews of their laptop internet or dongle service and experiences. This will help you find the perfect 3G internet provider - Vodafone, T-Mobile, O2, 3 Mobile, Orange -  suited to your needs.

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Top 5 Mobile Broadband Help Guides

• Mobile Broadband Beginners Guide
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