Mobile broadband coverage
The speeds that you are likely to enjoy using mobile broadband depend on a number of factors, it is therefore important that you consider your location before choosing your package.
Factors that impact mobile broadband coverage
- The mobile broadband provider you are with
- Distance from mobile phone mast
- Height of buildings between you and the mast
- Thickness of walls in your house
Mobile broadband coverage can be hit-and-miss in certain areas, so, as a rule of thumb it is worth considering the quality of the mobile phone coverage in the area you will predominantly be using it.
The 4 key mobile broadband operators are:
Click off the above pages to check the coverage in the area you will predominantly be connecting from.
Mobile broadband: compare the UK's best deals here.
Fast mobile broadband:
Orange, T-Mobile and 3 offer speeds of up to 3.6Mb, though they conceed that actual speeds are more likely to range between 1 and 1.5Mb. Vodafone offer greater speeds of up to 7.2Mb in some areas in London and major UK airports making them the fastest mobile broadband provider. Away from these areas coverage is more closely linked to those of T-Mobile and 3. Vodafone is currently in the act of extending the reach of their "super-fast" broadband to areas including Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester and Reading.
Mobile broadband sticks and coverage
Depending on the type of USB modem you are using, your speed can vary. For example, though speeds of 7.2Mb are available on Vodafone, these are only available using the Vodafone USB stick whereas speeds of up to 3.6Mb are available with the USB modem (dongle). It is therefore worth considering the device you will be using to connect to the internet when choosing your package.
4G mobile broadband and the future
4G will replace 3G as the technology upon which mobile broadband operates. Put simply, 4G technology will mean that the mobile airwaves are utilised in a more efficient manner. This means that data will be able to travel across the airwaves faster and more effectively than ever before.
4G will mean that coverage is no longer the issue that it currently is, as coverage will be more widespread - though discrepancies in speed are inevitable - 4G technology will improve mobile broadband coverage for everyone.
Additionally, laptops with inbuilt modems are on the market - bypassing the need for USB sticks and USB modems (dongles). Such laptops will be able to connect to the internet wirelessly via mobile phone networks without the need for external modems. In the meantime, people who want to connect to the internet via laptops must decide between the different types of mobile modems.
Those considering investing in a laptop would do well to click on our >> broadband and free laptop page
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