A Guide To Mobile Broadband

As a relatively new product in the mobile market, a lot of people are unfamiliar with mobile broadband. However as attitudes shift and users come to take 24-7 internet connection for granted, the appeal of mobile broadband is increasing. Yet there is still some confusion about what mobile broadband is and how it works. Read on for an explanation.

What is mobile broadband?
Broadband internet is a high-speed connection to the internet using a landline. This has evolved over time. First cable allowed us to use broadband without the phone line. Then, wireless routers became standard, allowing us to connect up multiple computers wirelessly. Eventually, WiFi hotspots let us connect to the internet on the go using mobile phones and laptops.

Mobile broadband is the next evolution of this, allowing a high speed internet connection that uses a 3G signal from the nearest mobile phone mast. Without wires, you can use internet on your laptop footloose and fancy free in the same way you might use your smartphone.

With that note though, restrictions that you may find with your mobile phone apply to mobile broadband too - the signal strength can vary depending on which network is strongest as per physical aerial masts in the area.

How does it work?
To use mobile broadband you will need a “dongle” and a subscription to a mobile broadband service. Both contract and pay as you go options are available.

A dongle is a mobile broadband modem. This plugs into a USB port on your laptop or PC and is about the size of a USB memory stick. The majority of dongles will install automatically when you plug them in.

Your mobile broadband works using the same technology as a mobile phone. Because of this, mobile broadband providers are often mobile phone network providers. However, your mobile broadband connection can be with a different company to your mobile network provider and you can have a mobile broadband connection without a mobile phone.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of mobile broadband?
With mobile broadband, your internet is no longer fixed to your home. Wherever you are in the country, if there’s a 3G signal available you can get access to your broadband.

The disadvantage of mobile broadband is that the connection tends to be slower than a landline, although connection speeds are improving.
Currently the primary users of mobile broadband are students and business users. Students sharing accommodation find they can control their broadband bills independently for term-time periods without paying line rental. Business users enjoy that mobile broadband lets them stay in touch with the office on the go. A dongle and laptop lets them work with colleagues in a coffee shop, airport or train without interrupting the work day.

By: Pandora Devine

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Pandora Devine loves to write about the net, new technology and mobile phones. She has written this article on behalf of Orange UK.