The introduction of smartphones and tablet computers has increased the demand for 3G mobile broadband, but it is still not very often used as a main internet connection. More often than not internet users consider the best broadband to be a fixed line at home, with mobile broadband as an optional extra.
However, switching from your fixed line broadband at home to a mobile internet connection can save you a packet, particularly if you are a very light user. So, what are the pros and cons of getting mobile broadband from your network provider?
Mobile broadband – the pros
Line rental: The major plus side to mobile broadband is that you do not have to pay for line rental like you do with some fixed line broadband deals. This can save you a significant amount as line rental from the main providers in the UK varies between £9 and £13 per month. Mobile broadband is becoming a popular choice for people who do not already have a telephone line, as the cost to install a fixed landline is in the region of £130.
Portability: Another pro for mobile broadband is that you can access the internet wherever you like, provided that there is a 3G signal. It is estimated that around 87% of the UK has 3G coverage so it shouldn’t pose too much of a problem.
Pay as you go: If you are a light internet user, or have separate fixed line broadband, you might benefit from taking out a pay-as-you-go deal because you might be spending more than you have to every month if you aren’t making full use of a fixed tariff. This also protects you from the long contracts associated with standard mobile broadband packages.
Provider flexibility: To get the best broadband speed you need to go with the right provider for you, rather than your current mobile phone provider. Research what is available and choose a provider which can offer you what you need. There are so many different mobile phone providers offering deals; you can choose from Orange broadband, O2 broadband, Vodafone broadband and many more.
Mobile broadband – the cons
Slow broadband speed: Mobile broadband speed is pretty slow as it can only reach a maximum of 7.2Mbps and has an average speed of around 3Mbps. This means you can check emails, log on to social networking sites and read the news, but it will struggle to meet the demands for rich media or media streaming (e.g. watching videos).
Usage limits: You will find that even the best broadband has a very low usage cap for uploading and downloading. For light users this would not be an issue, but if you use your mobile internet connection for other things, such as gaming or watching clips on YouTube, you might end up spending a small fortune if you exceed the limit.
Coverage: If you are in a rural area, you might find yourself to be one of the 13% that do not have access to a 3G connection. If this is the case you will struggle and the best broadband for you will be served via a fixed line. Make sure you check the coverage for your area with broadband providers before you purchase it.
Conclusion
The best broadband for you will depend on your personal circumstances and so it is important to remember that the deal that suits your friend might not benefit you at all. Don’t be scared of looking at other providers – what O2 broadband can offer you will be very different from Orange broadband packages. One of the most important things is to make sure you know what the coverage and broadband speed is like in your area, otherwise you might end up with a useless dongle.
