What is a dongle?

A dongle is another name for a portable USB modem. It looks like a memory stick. All you have to do is take it out of the box, plug it into your laptop's USB port, and you're ready to go.

Most providers offer free dongles with their mobile broadband contracts.

What is 3G?

3G is third generation mobile technology. The 3G network allows fast mobile access to the internet, so you can go online at a decent speed while on the move. It enables you to download music and short videos, or upload photos when you're away from home.

3G is currently available in most cities, but not in rural areas. If you are outside the 3G network, your mobile broadband will be much slower than the advertised speed.

How fast is mobile broadband?

Mobile broadband speeds vary hugely depending on many factors. The most important factor is your location. Mobile broadband relies on the 3G network, which is mainly available in urban areas. If you live in a rural area, you can still get mobile broadband, but chances are it will be on a 2G network, rather than 3G. That means it will be significantly slower.

The second factor is the network you choose. Vodafone advertises speeds of up to 7.2Mbps, while O2, Orange and T-Mobile offer only up to 1.8Mbps. 3 is in the middle with 2.8Mbps. That does not necessarily mean that Vodafone mobile broadband is faster.

Higher speeds are only available in certain areas of Central London and inside some airports. The quality of coverage varies from network to network. It's a good idea to check witch suppliers are fastest in your area.

Just be aware that all speeds are advertised as "up to" which means that you will not always get the speed that is advertised, but you will be get the fastest speed that the equipment will support.

Is mobile broadband difficult to set up?

Not at all. Unlike with fixed-line broadband, you do not have to worry about setting up a username or remembering a password. All you have to do is plug the dongle into your laptop and you are ready to go. You can even use it with multiple laptops. Simply unplug it from one computer and plug it into the other.

Could mobile broadband replace my home broadband?

For most people, mobile broadband is not a viable alternative to home broadband. Mobile broadband speeds don't come close to fixed-line speeds. While some providers advertise up to 7.2Mbps, it's unlikely that you will get that even in a 3G area. In comparison, you can get up to 20Mbps with a fixed-line broadband and up to 50Mbps or even 100Mbps with Virgin Media's fibre optic cable broadband.

In addition to this, mobile broadband providers place strict limits on the amount of data you can download each month. This is not a problem if all you want to do is check your e-mail. But if you're thinking of downloading music or streaming video, you can easy exceed your limit at a high cost.

Some people are unable to get fixed-line broadband, either because they don't have a landline, or they live in a remote area. For them, mobile broadband may be the best option. Or if you simply don't want to pay for a landline, mobile broadband may be right for you.

Most people get mobile broadband in addition to fixed-line broadband, not as an alternative.

I have a Mac. Can I still get mobile broadband?

Yes. All five mobile broadband providers have dongles that are Mac and PC compatible.

Should I go for a free laptop deal?

A free laptop sounds very appealing. That is exactly what the providers want you to think. However, once you read the small print, you will see that the laptop is not free at all.

Even if you were thinking of buying the same model laptop that is being offered, you may still be better off buying it separately.

How much is 1GB usage?

Mobile broadband packages come with lower usage (download) allowances than fixed-line broadband packages. If you accidentally go over your limit, it can prove very costly.

1GB of data lets you send 650 emails, browse the web for 30 hours, download 30 two-minute videos and 60 music tracks.

If you're worried about exceeding the limit, you can use a manual 'limiter' to make sure you do not go over. Mobile broadband providers let you monitor how much of your allowance you've used, so if you are careful, you can avoid the costly penalties.