Mobile Broadband

Mobile Broadband

Broadband Dongle

If you've been looking at mobile broadband then you've undoubtedly come across dongles, USB modems, broadband dongles, USB modem sticks.... the list goes on. So here is a guide to what's what in the world of broadband dongles and mobile broadband hardware in general.

A recent survey carried out by the Global mobile Suppliers Association identified 637 different devices with the technology required to access 3G broadband networks, including USB modems, broadband dongles, 3G mobile phones, data cards, mobile broadband wireless routers, personal media players and even a mobile broadband enabled camera. So you can see that the mobile broadband market covers a lot more than just broadband dongles.

But don't let this confuse you, because when you subscribe to a mobile broadband service from Orange, T-Mobile, 3, Vodafone or O2 you'll get a USB modem, which plugs into the USB port on your laptop or PC.

USB modems are the most common hardware given out on mobile broadband monthly contracts and they come with simple "plug and play" technology, so that all of the software you need is automatically installed when you first plug your USB modem into the USB port of your laptop or PC.

There are two main types of USB modem and the first is what is often called a broadband dongle, or simply just a dongle, and this is a small modem attached to a USB connector via a 2 or 3" cable. Dongles are very small and portable and are free on most mobile broadband contracts although customers subscribing to pay as you go or 12 month contracts may have to pay for their broadband dongle.

The other type of USB modem is called a USB modem stick and these USB modems look just like USB memory sticks (they don't have the cable that a dongle has). They are slightly smaller than USB dongles but also come with 'plug and play'Ãetchnology to get you online as quickly and simply as possible.

It is worth noting that some providers only offer USB modem sticks to customers signing up to 18 or 24-month contracts and all of the providers charge a higher fee for USB modem sticks.Always keep an eye out for deals that include free broadband dongles, because it is not uncommon to have to pay for your USB modem, especially on a short-term contract. Older technologies, such as PCMCIA cards, are being phased out and replaced by the newer USB modems and in all likelihood you will only encounter the two types of current generation USB modem.

Another option from Vodafone, and aimed at business users, is a 3G broadband wireless router that allows you to connect up to five computers at a time, either wirelessly or with cables. But this can eat up download limits very quickly if more than one person is using it.

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