What is mobile broadband and is it right for you?

Is mobile broadband any good?

The pros and cons of mobile broadband

To sum it up, we’ve put together a list of the main pros and cons of mobile broadband vs fixed broadband.

• Cheaper than fixed broadband for light internet users
• Portable
• Available on short contracts
• Excellent option for a temporary internet connection
• Can offer an alternative to fixed internet in areas where broadband is unavailable

• Most cheaper mobile broadband deals come with limited data
• Higher latency than fixed broadband
• Slower than fixed broadband
• Less reliable than fixed broadband

How does mobile broadband work?

Unlike fixed broadband, which is delivered via cables, mobile broadband connects to a mobile network and sends data through 5G, 4G and 3G services. This means that the internet delivered by mobile broadband devices is essentially exactly the same as the internet you get on your smartphone.
Most mobile internet devices are then able to turn this signal into WiFi. Connecting your phone or device to the WiFi will give you access to the data available.
Mobile broadband is delivered via mobile broadband devices. There are four main types of device. These are:

• A dongle – a dongle is a small device that plugs straight into your laptop or desktop computer. Dongles often look a little like USB sticks. The wifi dongle will connect to the local network and provide internet to your device. Most dongles take their power from the computer they’re connected to.
• A personal WiFi device – these devices, also known as MiFis, essentially act as mini routers. They provide a portable hotspot that turns 4G into WiFi and can be used to connect phones tablets, computers and other internet enabled devices.
• In-car WiFi – these devices are specially designed to be plugged into cars. They’re ideal for people who need access to good quality internet when they’re on the go.
• Data-only SIM cards – data only SIMs work in exactly the same way as the SIM card in your phone, however they only work when connected to the 5G 4G or 3G network. If you only need internet on one device – like a tablet computer – you can buy a data-only SIM, insert it into the device and get online.

Is mobile broadband the same as WiFi?

Mobile broadband is a type of internet that’s delivered using wireless 5G, 4G and 3G networks. If the right sort of device is used, this signal can be turned into WiFi by a local router. Devices will then be able to connect to this WiFi to receive an internet connection.
In general, the WiFi available via mobile broadband devices will be slower than that offered by fixed broadband. It will also often be limited. This means that there will be a cap on the amount of data you can use each month.

Is broadband cheaper than mobile data?

Mobile data is designed to be used when you’re out and about and when there’s no option to connect to broadband. Although it’s getting faster, more reliable and more affordable every year, especially with the ongoing rollout of 5G, mobile data is generally still a fallback option for most internet users.
In most cases, broadband will be faster and more reliable than mobile data. Unless you have an unlimited mobile data plan, it will also be cheaper.

Which are the best mobile broadband deals?

Mobile broadband providers

• Three
• O2
• Vodafone
• EE

How to choose the best mobile broadband deal?

• Cost
• Data limit
• Average speed
• Set up costs
• Contract length

Cost

The cost of mobile broadband deals can vary from as little as £8 per month to as much as £33 per month. In general, the more you pay for your mobile broadband, the faster your connection will be and the more data you’ll get to use each month.

Data limit

If your mobile broadband deal has limited data, it means that you’ll only have a certain amount of internet to use each month. Once you’ve used this internet, you’ll either need to buy more data from your provider or wait until the following month for your data limit to be reset.
The cheapest available mobile broadband deals offer around 1-2GB of internet. This is really only enough for checking emails, reading the news and looking at social media. It’s definitely not enough data for people who want to stream TV, play games or make video calls online.
One of the cheapest deals is available from Vodafone. For £8, the company will give you 2GB of mobile internet. For £14 per month, you can triple your data limit to 6GB. Both of these offers are available on 1-month contracts.
If you’re willing to pay more for your mobile broadband, you can get deals with unlimited data. Most internet providers offer unlimited deals from around £20-£25 per month.
The cheapest unlimited deal is available from Three. The supplier is currently offering unlimited data for just £17 per month. However, this is on a 24-month contract so you’ll need to sign up for the long term to take full advantage of it.

FAQ

What is mobile broadband?

Mobile broadband is a type of internet that’s delivered via 4G and 3G networks. It essentially works in the same way as the internet in your smartphone. Once you’ve bought your dongle, personal WiFi router or data-only SIM, you’ll be able to connect to the local 4G or 3G network and get online.

How much does portable WiFi cost?

Mobile broadband deals start from around £8 per month for 2GB of data and go up to over £30 for unlimited data. You should be able to find unlimited deals for around £20-£25 per month if you shop around and sign up to a 12, 18 or 24-month contract.

Can I get unlimited mobile broadband?

Unlimited mobile broadband deals are available from around £20 - £30 per month. This gives you access to all the data you need when you’re on the move and can make mobile broadband a viable alternative to a fixed internet connection.

How fast is mobile broadband?

The speed of your mobile broadband will depend on the strength of your 3G or 4G signal. In most urban areas of the UK, you should see speeds of around 10Mbps. This is fast enough to stream films and TV and make video calls.

In some areas, mobile broadband can be as fast as 150Mbps. At this sort of speed, you’ll be able to use your connection for gaming, streaming and making video calls without a problem.

In general, if you have a good 4G signal on your phone, your mobile broadband device should also have a good signal. Take your phone to the place where you’re going to use the mobile broadband and test the internet speed. This will give you a good idea of exactly how fast your mobile broadband will be.