Mobile Broadband

To put it simply Mobile Broadband is broadband on the move. The service doesn't require access to a landline or a WiFi Hotspot. It allows you access to the internet at Broadband speeds whilst on the move. Speeds are dependent on coverage and network capability, as the devices use mobile phone signal to connect to the internet. The technology behind this service is called HSDPA High-Speed Downlink Packet Access.

Nope, as Mobile Broadband uses mobile phone singal no landline connection is required. The beauty of it is, it allows you to have a wire free internet connection to take with you!

The speed of your connection depends on your network provider and the device that you have. The newer "stick" modems have the ability to connect at speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps per second but very few networks have this ability.

A USB Modem is the device that is required to enable your computer to connect to the internet. The devices are compatiable with most Windows operating systems as well as Apple Mac computers. They have a SIM card slot and some also have the ability to take a memory card so that you can double the modem up as a storage device.

To set up your Mobile Broadband you simply have to insert the SIM card into the modem and then plug the modem into your computer via a USB port. The software will then begin to install and you then need to follow the step by step instructions easy!

To help you understand your data usage a bit better we have put together this rough guide which shows what you could use your data allowance on:

1GB of data lets you:
Send 650 plain text emails AND surf the web for 30 hours AND download 30 two minute videos AND download 60 music tracks.

3GB of data lets you:
Send 2000 plain text emails AND surf the web for 90 hours AND download 100 two minute videos AND download 200 music tracks.

7GB of data lets you:
Send 4500 plain text emails AND surf the web for 210 hours AND download 200 two minute videos AND download 400 music tracks.

One of the biggest differences between the modems is the style of the modem. Other differences include the connection speed which is avaliable, the newer "stick" modems allow you to connect at speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps but this is network dependant.