Broadband Comparison

Broadband

A guide to mobile broadband contracts

There are lots of mobile broadband contracts out there, with some providers even offering pay as you go mobile broadband but the best deals go to new users signing up for the longest period of time. Current contracts include pay as you go broadband, rolling month-by-month packages as well as 12, 18 and 24-month options.

No contract mobile broadband

If you don't want to commit to a 12, 18 or even 24-month mobile broadband contract, then pay as you go broadband or a rolling month-by-month contract is likely to be best for you.

Both Vodafone and T-Mobile currently offer daily pay as you go mobile broadband packages and Vodafone also has a rolling month-by-month contract as well as its pay as you go broadband option; while 3 offers PAYG options and a range of rolling month-by-month contracts.
If you want to see if mobile broadband is right for you then no-contract options and pay as you go broadband are perfect.

If you need heavy download limits then you will need to keep your home broadband and opt for a pay as you go mobile broadband service. By checking out a no-contract or pay as you go broadband connection you can find out if it's the right mobile broadband choice for you before cancelling your home broadband service.

Whether it's pay as you go broadband or longer-term contract packages, mobile broadband is becoming hugely popular, which means the market is becoming increasingly competitive. With costs falling and data allowances increasing, pay as you go mobile broadband is a good way to introduce yourself to this new service.

With pay as you go broadband you can commit when you are good and ready. But do take into consideration that with no-contract and pay as you go mobile broadband you'll have to pay for your dongle - the small internet broadband modem that plugs into a USB port - whereas with pay monthly these are free. In addition, you only get a limited amount of data downloads with additional download costs being very expensive once you exceed your allowance.

So who does PAYG mobile broadband best suit:

• People who will rarely want access to the internet while they are on the move
  
• People who don't have or intend to get a laptop.
  
• People who download large amounts of information and files - such as video - from the internet.
  
• People who are prepared to pay for the mobile broadband modem or dongle.
  
• People who can't pass a credit check to get the monthly subscription option.
  

Pay monthly mobile broadband

If you have considered pay as you go monthly broadband and have decided that you definitely need regular mobile broadband access with greater data download limits, then a pay monthly package will offer you better value than a no-contract or pay as you go broadband service.

Every provider and every pay monthly package offers you a different download limit ranging from 1GB or 3GB with Orange; 1GB, 3GB and 7GB with 3; 3GB and 10GB with T-Mobile; and 3GB and 5GB with Vodafone. This compares with pay as you go broadband from T-Mobile, which gives you 3GB and pay as you go mobile broadband from Vodafone, which gives you 500MB per day.

Who should buy pay monthly mobile broadband?

• People who want regular access to the internet while they are on the move
  
• People who regularly use a laptop and require internet access wherever they may be.
  
• People who don't need to download large files from the internet.
  
• People who can pass a mobile network credit check.
  

Whether you opt for pay monthly or pay as you go mobile broadband, as soon as you exceed your download limit you'll be liable to either direct charges or the terms of the provider's fair usage policy.

It is also worth noting that Vodafone currently offers the fastest mobile broadband speed of 7.2Mbps, and this is available on both their pay as you go mobile broadband service as well as their pay monthly packages. But things are moving fast in the mobile broadband sector and other providers are set to catch up soon. So whether you opt for pay as you go broadband or not, all of the available download speeds will become much more competitive.

Find out more about broadband packages and mobile broadband packages

Sign up to our broadband newsletterStay updated with our free broadband and mobile broadband newsletter.