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Mobile broadband delivers an internet connection via a wireless 4G or 5G network in the same way that your smartphone does. Unlike standard broadband which is delivered via fibre-optic cables and requires a wifi router, mobile broadband deals come with a mobile broadband sim.
This is used in different ways:
Inbuilt data SIMs: Some providers offer dedicated mobile broadband SIMs that you can use in phones, laptops and tablets. These are not the same as conventional mobile sims, as they generally do not come with SMS or call features
USB Dongles: If you’re hoping to connect a laptop or desktop to the internet, USB dongles can be very beneficial; dongles plug into your computer to provide mobile broadband. Dongles come with a range of contract lengths, with most providers offering them on a no-contract basis
Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots (MiFI): MiFi is an umbrella term for wifi hotspot devices. They are small, portable devices that allow multiple users to connect to the internet without the need for a home broadband service.
Mobile broadband can be used on the go. It uses portable solutions such as SIMs and dongles which can be switched between devices and used anywhere. It’s more convenient – there’s no need to install a landline to access the internet. It can also be useful in scenarios where your home broadband goes down or you are without broadband when moving house.
Mobile broadband offers a reliable connection for homes with limited access to traditional broadband (ADSL, fibre and full-fibre). It doesn’t require copper or fibre optic cables, mobile broadband can be accessed from most locations, making it a great solution for people who live in more rural and remote areas of the country. If you plan to use mobile broadband on the go – it’s much safer and more reliable than connecting to public wifi.
Mobile broadband can be cost-effective. You won’t pay any hefty installation fees since there’s nothing to install. Mobile broadband packages also offer flexibility in contract length and upfront costs tend to be less than standard broadband.
Mobile broadband differs from traditional broadband. Instead of delivering internet via fibre or copper wire cables, data is transmitted over a wireless network in the same way you access data on a smartphone rather than fixed fibre-optic cables. To connect your device to mobile broadband you’ll insert a SIM card or dongle into your device.
Not all broadband providers offer mobile broadband in the UK, limiting your scope in terms of range. Due to the nature of mobile broadband, you will not find restrictions in terms of postcode, but signal and speed will still vary depending on the region.
Vodafone
Vodafone offers a variety of mobile broadband deals, including wifi hotspots, dongles and SIM cards. These vary in price, with the cheapest unlimited data solution costing £20 per month for 24 months.
EE
UK residents can get wifi hotspots and hubs from EE. The company’s Smart 5G Hub costs £45 per month and £100 upfront on an 18-month contract.
O2
O2 may not provide any traditional broadband solutions, but it does offer dongles, mobile routers and wifi hotspots. The cheapest option is the Dongle 4G, which comes with 5GB of data for £10 per month.
Three
Three offers mobile broadband for up to 10 devices, with products including data-only SIMs and wifi hotspots. You can top up the SIMs every month or pay as you go for more flexibility.
Mobile broadband is reliable – so long as coverage is good in your area. However, 4G and 5G coverage is increasing across the UK – including remote and rural areas.
There are two types of mobile broadband speeds: 4G and 5G.
4G speeds can support browsing and streaming while 5G offers a faster, higher bandwidth – perfect for video calls, HD video and gaming.
5G is the fastest type of mobile broadband, taking over from 4G and 3G. 5G mobile broadband works in the same way as other types of mobile broadband, connecting to devices via a wireless network from a SIM, dongle or wifi hotspot.
According to an Ofcom report from 2023, the level of 5G coverage provided outside of the premises by at least one mobile network operator rose to between 85 and 93 per cent, allowing more people across the country to connect to mobile broadband. Accessibility to 5G mobile broadband will depend on where you live, with rural communities generally seeing less coverage than urban areas.
5G is the fastest mobile broadband network in the country. 5G has the potential to deliver download speeds of up to 200Mbps and is generally 10 times faster than 4G.
Some providers offer unlimited mobile broadband data, while some cap your limit. If you intend to use your mobile broadband for heavy workloads or share it with multiple people, look for unlimited mobile broadband deals to avoid going over your data limit and incurring fees.
MiFi is an umbrella term for wifi hotspot devices. They are small, portable devices that allow multiple users to connect to the internet without the need for a home broadband service.
No, mobile data on a smartphone is not the same as having mobile broadband in your home; home mobile broadband can be accessed via a SIM card installed in a mobile broadband device, such as a dongle or mobile router. These all use a 3G, 4G or 5G network, the latter being the fastest but least accessible across the UK.
