Mobile Broadband – how to get started

Having access to broadband at home or at work is all well and good but, let’s face it, it can have its limitations. This is particularly so if you’re someone who needs to have access to the internet and email while you’re on the move. One of the best ways around this issue is to consider signing up for mobile broadband. Now that there are a wealth of different providers and a dazzling array of mobile broadband packages available it’s never been quicker and easier to get yourself online in this way.

Mobile broadband instantly allows you to have access to everything you’d normally do online, but on the move. Thanks to an ever-expanding mobile phone network, signal coverage is now more extensive than ever and as long as you can tap into an available mobile phone signal then mobile broadband access should also be at your fingertips. The great thing about mobile broadband is that alongside allowing you the ultimate in internet freedom, you also don’t need to worry about lots of wires and trailing cables, even if you end up just using the service at home.

Unlike traditional broadband, that generally relies on either a copper-wire telephone network or fibre optic cable to work, mobile broadband dispenses with all of that and taps into an available mobile phone signal in much the same way as your mobile handset does. In fact, many of the deals available come from the same companies that sell those contracts, so you can expect to see many of the same big names when pondering over a mobile broadband package.

Getting setup and running using the power of mobile broadband is surprisingly straightforward. Generally speaking all you need to do is plug in a small USB device, often referred to as a ‘dongle’. This is inserted into an available port on your computer, laptop or netbook and receives the broadband signal through the mobile phone network. Variations on this theme can involve having a data card or similar installed inside the machine you’re using but the principle is basically the same.

The flexibility afforded by mobile broadband is a definite bonus and suits all sorts of consumers from business people through to students, many of which don’t want to have a fixed-line phone because they move around so much. Popular new technology such as VoIP services like Skype allow you to make calls across the internet anyway, so why bother with monthly landline rental? Having said that, there are numerous factors you should consider when looking into mobile broadband, as there can be a few downsides too.

While prices are now quite competitive due to the amount of mobile providers and ISP’s tapping into his growing market, speed of service is one area where the marketing and advertising can often tend to gloss over the less impressive issues associated with mobile broadband. A mobile service can be subject to fluctuations, often because of poor network coverage and lots of users tapping into the available supply. So, advertised speeds may, in reality, only end up being about 1 or 2Mb, which is adequate for web surfing and email. However, heavier users should be prepared for some frustration if large files like movies and TV shows are the order of the day.

In addition, many mobile broadband suppliers have limits or ‘caps’ on the amount of data that can be both uploaded and downloaded. There can often be penalties for exceeding this quota; so reading up on the contract small print is wise to ensure that your enjoyment won’t be hampered by these stipulations. Nevertheless, there are plenty of contracts and pay-as-you-go options out there to suit every kind of budget, although watch out too for penalties when using a mobile broadband service overseas.

As long as you read the terms and conditions before you sign up for any kind of mobile broadband contract then you should be fine. Providers will generally throw in all of the kit that you’ll need to get setup and some are even able to offer you a ‘free’ laptop as part of the deal. Remember though that these free laptop deals will often mean being signed up to a longer contract, so may not be to everyone’s benefit. Whatever route you end up taking, mobile broadband will certainly revolutionize the way you use the internet.

About the author: Rob Clymo writes on behalf of www.broadbandgenie.co.uk, the independent comparison website for broadband and mobile broadband.

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