Compare mobile broadband deals this March

What is mobile broadband?

Mobile broadband uses a mobile phone network to provide you with access to the internet. This is in contrast to most homes, which connect to the internet using a wired broadband connection, which usually uses copper phone wires or fibre-optic cables. It’s this wireless connection that makes mobile broadband services flexible and suitable for anyone who regularly travels or faces a long commute but needs to stay connected.

Mobile broadband packages can also be a cost-effective option for light or occasional internet users who don’t want to commit to fixed-line home broadband. Despite its uses, it’s not right for everyone – heavy internet users or gamers may find download speeds too slow and latency (the time it takes for data to transfer between devices) too high, making response times sluggish.These users may prefer a fibre broadband connection.

How does mobile broadband work?

Mobile broadband uses 3G, 4G, or 5G mobile phone technology to create a hotspot and connect devices to the internet. To do this, you will need a router or dongle (collectively known as Mi-Fi devices) and a compatible device. If you have a tablet, you can also insert a data SIM to get online.

The simplest way to think of it is that it’s similar to a personal hotspot on your mobile phone, where you tether (connect) a device (such as your laptop) to your mobile phone’s internet connection. In this scenario, your phone and its SIM card act as the router, using the mobile network to generate its own Wi-Fi connection that enables your laptop to access the internet as an alternative to normal broadband.

What is 3G mobile phone technology?

The term 3G refers to the third generation of wireless mobile technology. It provides clearer voice calls and allows for faster data transfer which also means access to the internet. In the UK, 3G was rolled out in the early 2000s, but mobile phone operators have recently announced that 3G will be ‘switched off’ by the end of 2024 due to the rise of 4G and 5G technology.

What is 4G mobile phone technology?

4G is the fourth generation of wireless technology, which builds on 3G, providing improved voice call quality and even faster data transfer. According to recent data, around 81 per cent of premises had access to 4G, while coverage was available to 92 per cent of the UK.

The decision to roll back 3G has been made so that network operators can focus on improving their 4G coverage as well as roll out 5G – or fifth-generation – wireless technology, which is already available in many parts of the UK.

How do mobile broadband routers work?

A mobile router is a smaller, portable version of a fixed-line home broadband router (a BT Hub, for example). The router will sometimes include a SIM card, similar to the one in your mobile phone, linked to the network to which you subscribe.

The benefit of a mobile router is that you can connect to several laptops or other devices via its Wi-Fi network, which can be accessed using a password. If you’re travelling with friends or family and all of you need internet access, a portable mobile broadband router would be a suitable option.

How do mobile broadband dongles work?

Dongles are another, similar way to access mobile broadband services. Instead of creating a  Wi-Fi network, it connects to your laptop or other device directly via a USB.

Mobile dongles are perfect if it’s just you that needs to get online, and because they are smaller than a mobile router, they are more easy to use on the go.

How do data SIMs work?

A data SIM works in the same way as the SIM card in your smartphone, but is used with your tablet instead. Some tablets have built-in SIM cards, while others have a slot that you need to insert it into. These will get you online in the same way an ordinary SIM card connects your mobile phone to internet data.

How fast is mobile broadband?

Broadband speed depends on the type of wireless technology you are using. Your deal and the coverage in your area may allow you access to 3G, 4G or, in some areas, 5G.

As the oldest technology, 3G provides the slowest download speeds – the time it takes to receive data. This speed is estimated at around 6 Mbps (megabits per second) for 3G. For the majority of users with 4G, download speeds are significantly faster at around 24-33 Mbps.

In areas where 5G has been rolled out, mobile broadband speeds can rival fixed-line ultrafast broadband connections, reaching speeds of up to 200 Mbps.

Can mobile broadband replace fixed-line internet?

Whether or not a mobile broadband service can replace your fixed-line home broadband is entirely down to your circumstances and needs.

If you stream a lot of content, such as music and films, or regularly play games on your laptop, it is unlikely you will get the download speeds you need to carry out these activities unless you have access to 5G.

If you only use the internet occasionally, however – for browsing, checking emails or managing your bank account, for example – mobile broadband could be an inexpensive way to get online.

Compare mobile broadband deals

Mobile broadband deals are available from most of the large mobile providers, including Vodafone, Three, EE and Virgin Media.

You can choose your mobile broadband service as a fixed contract, typically lasting 12 or 24 months, but if flexibility is a priority then rolling one-month contracts and pay-as-you-go subscriptions are also available. In addition to choosing contract length, you will also have to think about the amount of data you will need, which is measured in gigabytes (GB).

To put data into context, light users use around 1GB of data a month, while average users use 6GB and heavy internet users get through 20GB or more. As a general rule, the more data you need, the more expensive your plan is likely to be. To get an idea of what is available right now, we have put together some of the top mobile broadband deals on the market:

*Prices are correct at the time of writing – last updated on July 27, 2022.

Is mobile broadband worth it?

Whether or not a mobile broadband plan is right for you depends on how often you need to get online, what you do and how much flexibility you need.

To help you weigh up whether mobile internet is right for you, here’s what we see as the pros and cons: