Mobile Broadband
Mobile Broadband is a method of accessing the internet using the mobile network at a faster speed and wider bandwidth. Mobile technology was introduced to make and receive calls, from and to any part of the world. The greatest advantage of this technology is that it's completely wire-less and uses a compact device called the mobile phone. Mobile broadband is a similar technology that allows transmitting data like emails, photographs, documents etc, over the internet using a mobile phone or a mobile broadband dongle.
Mobile Broadband Access
The speed, size and bandwidth of data travel will be much higher compared to data. To facilitate reliable and faster internet access mobile broadband networks adopted technologies like 2G, 3G and 4G, HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) etc. Mobile Broadband internet is accessible either using a mobile phone that supports any of these technologies or in a computer using a mobile broadband dongle.
Mobile Broadband Dongle
Mobile broadband dongle is a device that can send and receive data packets via the internet and allows the access of the web in a computer. Similar to a mobile phone it also uses a SIM card to gain access to the mobile broadband network. It is also called as a USB modem since it uses a USB (universal serial bus) interface to plug in to a computer. This device will be given to a user by the mobile broadband provider after choosing a mobile broadband plan.
The mobile broadband dongle is an easy plug and play device. Once plugged in to the USB port of the computer, the dialer software is installed either automatically or manually by the user. The mobile signal is transmitted between the mobile transmission points (mobile tower) to the mobile broadband dongle. Also a USB extension cable is used in case of weaker signals.
Mobile broadband-UK
UK has been one of the first few countries which adopted mobile broadband technology to increase the broadband coverage. Almost all the major broadband providers in UK like 3-mobile, T-mobile, Orange, Vodafone, Virgin media and O2 provide mobile broadband plans. The maximum speed offered using mobile broadband in UK is up to 7.2Mbps. While there are many providers who wish to upgrade the speed to a maximum of 14.4Mbps, the average speed that is obtained by many users across the country is just 2Mbps. Also there are plans to upgrade the mobile broadband networks to the 4G (4th generation) technology which can offer a speed of more than 100Mbps.
Mobile Broadband Coverage-UK
Mobile broadband is available in almost more than 95% of UK. Individual coverage reports might vary for different providers. As per the analysis of Ofcom, 3 mobile and Orange seems to dominate the 3G network, while the others compete in the second position. All the major cities of UK receive a better mobile broadband coverage while the other places might be receiving coverage but not necessarily from all the mobile broadband providers. Customers can always use the availability checker to know the coverage of mobile broadband in a particular area.
Mobile Broadband Plans-UK
Due to a greater response from the customers and heavy competition among the providers, mobile broadband is offered in different shapes. The two dominant plans are mobile broadband pay monthly and mobile broadband pay as you go.
In a monthly plan, customer gets the mobile broadband dongle for free, and signs up for an 18 or 24 months contract. While in a pay as you go service, the customer has to purchase the USB modem and the top up his account to access the internet. There will not be any change in the speed and coverage offered between these two services.
Some of the mobile broadband plans also offer a laptop for free along with a monthly contract. 3 mobile offers a MIFI service that allows access to multiple computers to access the same network. Unlimited mobile broadband plans are also available with some providers but are restricted to the fair usage policy.
Mobile Broadband Abroad
Mobile broadband received greater response due to the factor that it's more mobile. This helps business men and frequent travelers to access the internet or communicate on the go. These devices can be used within UK as well as abroad. But the rates per MB might be higher than usual. Roaming packages can also be added to the regular plan to use the service at the same rate as in UK. But the coverage outside UK will vary between the mobile broadband providers.
