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Mobile Internet

Nowadays more and more people are abandoning their fixed line broadband connections and discovering the joys of mobile internet. But in a mixed-up world of USB dongles and handheld browsers it can be hard to know where to start. Let this guide fill you in on the basics.

What is mobile internet?

Mobile internet can refer to two things. Firstly, it can mean using your mobile phone to surf the internet when you're out and about, using the handset's screen to look at web pages. Secondly, it can refer to the growing trend for people to attach small wireless modems to their laptops and access the internet that way.

Can I get mobile internet on my phone?

Most new phones come with a built-in web browser. Firing this up from the menu screen will allow you to access web pages in a reduced format, simplified to make them suitable for your mobile screen's display (this sort of mobile internet can be fairly slow, so sites are reformatted to take out things like flashy graphics before they are transmitted). The cost of using your phone to access mobile internet is not generally fixed, but you will have to pay charges to your operator depending on how much data you transfer.

What other mobile internet is there?

The other type of mobile internet comes through a laptop. As with using your phone, data is transmitted using mobile networks rather than fixed lines, so you can access the internet anywhere you want.

What do I need?

To get mobile internet on your laptop you will need a 'dongle' - a small USB stick that slots into the side of your machine. Plugging this in and following the onscreen instructions will allow you to set up a mobile internet account and start surfing almost immediately. Several broadband providers offer free dongles with their mobile broadband packages.

17/08/2008
Author: CompareBroadbandUK staff writer

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