T-Mobile triumphs in mobile broadband road test

If you've ever wondered with mobile broadband service really is the best way to get connected on the move, wonder no more. In what could be the most rigorous real-world mobile broadband test of its kind, the good folk at Genie have put all the providers through their paces; and come up with a clear winner.

Of the six main mobile broadband providers which we took on our road trip.... er, sorry, road test; T-Mobile was crowned clear winner of the prestigious 2010 Dongle on the Move award, with last years winner Virgin Media taking second place. Each provider's dongle was tested across a variety of categories on a two-day, 350 mile rail journey.

Test performed included speed tests for both upload and download speeds, downloading BBC podcasts, and streaming video and audio from sites like YouTube and Spotify. Getting mobile broadband to work well on the move presents some real problems for providers, especially in more rural areas, but as we work towards establishing a universal minimum standard for UK broadband, these challenges need to be met.

And T-Mobile has met them, coming top in three out of six sub-categories (including download, upload and coverage), as well as taking the top spot for best overall performance. Ralf Pearson, senior propositions manager for mobile broadband at T-Mobile, said: "We're delighted that T-Mobile has been crowned overall winner of the Broadband Genie Road Test 2010."

"This is a thorough examination of relative mobile broadband capabilities, so for T-Mobile to come top is testament to the strength of the mobile broadband services we offer our customers. With our half-price stick offer, twinned with our flexible pay-per-day service, available in April we’re hoping that more people can experience for themselves the benefit of having a personal broadband connection that stays with them wherever they go."

For more information on the Dongle on the Move Awards, visit the winners page, or read the full analysis on the Genie blog