Mobile broadband often works out cheaper for students, Ofcom says in new guide

With students across the country heading off to university - or at least seriously thinking about it in the next couple of months - Ofcom has released a student guide to staying connected.

 "Things like broadband and mobile phones can often be taken for granted but have you thought about how you’re going to stay in touch with friends and family or how you’re going to email that essay when you’re on deadline?" it asks, in big letters.

Looking at both fixed and mobile broadband, as well as fixed and mobile phones, it includes advice and suggestions on what students should consider before signing up, and ways to save. Looking at the choice of fixed or mobile broadband, the guide points out that fixed-line broadband is faster and has more generous download limits, but mobile broadband offers more flexibility, doesn't require fixed phone-lines and can often work out cheaper.

It also offers lots of useful advice such as 'consider what package most suits your needs' and 'perhaps you could share bills amongst your housemates' - most of which you would hope that the country's undergrads would be able to work out for themselves, but you never know.

To compare the mobile broadband deals currently on offer, see Mobile Broadband Genie's price comparison table. 

Alternatively, if several students share a property and therefore need the higher download allowance available from fixed line broadband, you could consider some of the short-contract fixed line broadband deals available; 9-month contracts are currently on offer from BE Broadband for example. See Broadband Genie's top Student Broadband picks.