subject: Mobile broadband – the truth behind web wandering [print this page] The alternative to surfing at home has come in the form of web-while you-wander, also known as the fine art of internet on the go. In 1999, we were looking at the equivalent of 21st Century Game Boys (fancy a game of snake?) that made phone calls and sent texts. Now mobile phones use the 3G network, and users can piggy-back this service for internet on the go.
A dongle or compatible mobile phone will allow you access through your laptop to the 3G network, enabling broadband on your laptop during your travels. You can also buy a laptop with mobile broadband embedded, or choose Mi-Fi, which is a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. The beauty of mobile broadband comes with the freedom; you will find that download allowances are extraordinarily generous, even though the contract lengths can be as low as one month.
The speeds will not reach the dizzying heights of Virgin Media's 50Mbps (not yet, at least), but it is still effective for e-mailing, accessing social networks, downloading or researching. The commonly used dongle is slim and lightweight, so you can literally keep your broadband access in your pocket and ready to go. You are essentially carrying quick internet access around in the palm of your and the 3G network means that you don't have to search for a Wi-Fi hotspot.
You can now compare mobile broadband offers, and check out which one would suit your needs. With the contract flexibility and download allowances, it's hard to see a downside to the mobile broadband revolution.
