4G Broadband Explained: 4G Speeds and Best Deals

What is 4G broadband?

4G broadband refers to an Internet connection which uses a 4G mobile network, rather than a fixed-line connection. As they work wirelessly, 4G broadband routers are portable, allowing you to connect to get online anywhere with a 4G signal.

How does 4G broadband work?

4G home broadband routers work by connecting to a 4G signal – just like a smartphone does. Your router receives a signal which is broadcast by nearby mobile masts, and this is how it connects to a 4G network.

Subsequently, your 4G home broadband router picks up this signal, allowing you to connect your devices to your 4G home network. This is the same way you’d connect to a fixed-line network (e.g. fibre broadband) but without any cables between the router and its connection source.

What is the difference between home broadband and mobile broadband?

The key difference between home broadband and mobile broadband is the means of connecting to the Internet.
With mobile broadband, your router connects to a mobile network wirelessly by using a SIM card. It picks up a signal that’s broadcast from a mast. This is unlike traditional home broadband, where copper or fibre cables connect directly into a home broadband router to provide Internet access.

How fast is 4G broadband?

The average 4G broadband speed in the UK is between 20 to 30 megabits per second (Mbps). This is fast enough to comfortably support more bandwidth-intensive online activities, such as attending video conferences or streaming films in HD.

It’s important to note that 4G broadband speeds can vary depending on your location. Living rurally, or at least far away from the nearest 4G mast, can result in slower speeds. Your choice of provider and even the building materials in your house (e.g. concrete or metal) can also negatively affect your speeds.

Compare 4G broadband deals

To ensure you secure the perfect deal for your usage and budget, we’ve compiled the best and cheapest 4G broadband deals available.

EE 4G broadband

Here is EE’s range of 4G home broadband deals:

Vodafone 4G broadband

These are the 4G broadband deals currently available from Vodafone:

Three 4G broadband

Here are Three’s 4G broadband plans:

O2 4G broadband

O2 allows customers to choose from two portable MiFi devices:

Best 4G broadband deals

Here are the 4G best mobile broadband deals available at the moment.

Cheapest 4G broadband deals

These are the cheapest 4G broadband deals currently available from the major network providers:

Unlimited 4G broadband deals

If you’re looking to enjoy 4G home broadband without any data limits, these are the best deals for you:

*Where exact download speeds have not been specified, 8-10Mbps is included to reflect the overall average download speeds expected of 4G broadband.

Is 4G broadband any good?

4G broadband involves a different approach to Internet access and home, as it doesn’t rely on cables. The use of 4G technology presents a range of benefits for customers – but it’s important to consider the downsides too.

Who is 4G broadband right for?

4G broadband may not offer the highest Internet speeds on the market, but it can be ideal for customers with certain needs.
If these factors apply to your household and circumstances, it’s worth considering a 4G home broadband deal:

• You use the Internet lightly or occasionally.
• Your household is small.
• You live rurally and can’t access fibre broadband.
• Due to moving or living between homes, you need portable Wi-Fi.
• 30-day contracts would suit you best.

However, if you need fast speeds for online gaming or HD streaming, you’ll likely find that fibre broadband will offer a faster, more reliable connection. There also won’t be any download limits to consider when you’ve got a fixed-line connection (although unlimited 4G broadband deals are available).

What is 4G broadband coverage like in the UK?

Overall, 4G mobile networks are widely accessible across the UK. This means that 4G broadband coverage is strong – but the extent of 4G availability can vary between providers.

The table shows the percentage of 4G coverage between the major broadband providers:

There isn’t much variety in the extent of coverage offered by 4G broadband providers. However, Three is believed to offer the widest coverage in the UK currently – although by a small margin. Unless you live very rurally, it’s likely that 4G broadband deals will be available to you from at least one of these providers.

You can check the availability of 4G broadband across networks using Ofcom’s checker.

What are the pros and cons of 4G broadband?

Before signing up to a 4G broadband deal, make sure you’ve considered all the benefits and downsides of having a 4G home broadband connection.

Here are the pros of a 4G home broadband plan:

However, these 4G broadband plans also involve some cons to be aware of:

If you´re still struggling to decide which network is best for you, call our Broadband Experts and we can help you out.

FAQ

🏠 Can 4G replace home broadband?

By design, 4G home broadband plans serve as a replacement for fixed-line broadband. Although 4G speeds can beat that of a basic asymmetric digital subscriber line and rival some fibre broadband speeds, 4G broadband plans aren’t ideal for every household. They can suffice for smaller households or light Internet users – but large households may struggle with 4G home broadband’s limitations.

📶 Can I get 4G broadband if I have bad signal?

Yes. 4G broadband routers can usually connect to a 4G network – even if your phone can’t access 4G mobile data in your area. It’s also worth noting that if your indoor signal is poor, your provider may offer an external antenna that connects to your 4G hub. This can enhance your signal considerably.

❓ Will 4G make home broadband obsolete?

4G broadband can be a viable option under some circumstances, but it can’t replace fixed-line broadband connections. Currently, 4G broadband can’t beat the speeds and reliability of many existing fibre broadband packages – especially with full fibre broadband becoming more widely available.

🌐 Where is 5G broadband available?

Although 5G technology isn’t currently available everywhere, network operators are expanding their 5G networks across the UK. Some of them already offer 5G broadband hubs, including EE and Three – but these devices can only offer 5G speeds if 5G is available locally. You can check the indoor and outdoor availability of 5G near you with Ofcom’s checker.