Mobile broadband

The pros of mobile broadband

• Its broadband internet on the go! You can access the internet wherever there is a good 3G signal;
• You don't need a landline to use mobile broadband;
• No line rental fees;
• Many providers to choose from - mobile broadband providers include: 02, Vodafone, Three, T-Mobile and Orange;
• Great for both students and business people on the go;
• Pay as you go mobile broadband is available meaning no need for a 12 month contract;
• Surf the internet on a train or in the coffee shop.

The cons of mobile broadband

• Mobile broadband relies on a good 3G signal. Some rural areas and edge of urban areas may get a weak signal - or no signal at all;
• Penalties for going over your mobile broadband providers usage limit can be harsh in some cases;
• Mobile broadband is not so good for heavy broadband internet users. If you stream on-demand digital TV from the likes of BBC iPlayer, or you download high definition movies and photos you may be better off with a home broadband package;
• Slower speeds than home broadband can offer.

Home broadband

The pros of home broadband

• Home broadband is now much cheaper than ever before - with even free broadband being offered;
• Home broadband uses a landline or fibre optic cables so it has greater coverage and stability;
• Super fast broadband speeds on home broadband connections can reach as high as 50Mbps;
• Higher download limits;
• Home broadband can include wireless routers which route broadband internet throughout your home;
• Home broadband is great for heavy users of the internet due to higher speeds and download limits.

The cons of home broadband

• Line rental costs;
• Not mobile - you can't set off from home and continue using your home broadband connection;
• Extra equipment such as routers can cost extra and are not always included;
• Home broadband providers customer services can be costly with expensive call centre charges;
• If you don't have a landline in your home and you want ADSL broadband it may be very expensive for BT to install a landline in your home.

It really does depend on how you want to use broadband when you decide between mobile broadband or home broadband. You need to weigh up the pros and cons of each, consider the price and what you are getting for your money.

Don't rush out and sign up to mobile broadband with a free laptop just because you get a free laptop! You may find the mobile broadband service is not as reliable as you thought and the laptop could have been bought separately elsewhere for a reasonable price.