If you thought that mobile broadband was something to do with surfing the web on your mobile phone, you’re very wrong.
Mobile broadband allows you to have immediate web access on either your computer or laptop from wherever you are, be it at home, at the airport, on the train or halfway across the Pennine Way.
Instead of the cables or wires needed for standard broadband, mobile broadband is powered by the 3G mobile network, hence the name.
Simply, all you need is a subscription to a mobile service network and a plug-in USB modem – a dongle, if you prefer – and you’re away.
It’s not purely by chance that the present UK mobile broadband providers are also the main mobile phone providers such as Vodafone mobile broadband, T-mobile, O2, 3 mobile broadband and Orange mobile broadband.
Is it suitable for everyone?
Bear in mind though that this exciting concept is not freely available to everyone just yet, so don’t rush to cancel your current telephone or cable internet provider until you have had a closer look at it.
A mobile broadband network will only work well if the mobile telephone network it runs on is efficient.
For instance, disparities in speed are the norm and erratic reception, the curse of mobile phones, will also plague mobile internet connections in exactly the same way.
If you use the internet a lot, mobile broadband is unlikely to be suitable for you as it would not be able to compete with the unlimited usage allowances of most hardwired broadband packages.
However, if all you need is to check your email and surf sporadically, then you will find it an attractive proposition – especially if you are on the move a lot.
Depending on your specific service provider, the new mobile broadband networks offer speeds ranging from 2.8Mb to as much as 7.2Mb. However, usage limits are restrictively applied throughout.
How much can you download?
Current mobile broadband providers are offering download limits of between 1 – 15Gb per month, which means it would not suit anyone who has to regularly transfer large files.
Equally, if you spend hours on YouTube, or listening to internet radio, or can’t resist online pirated movies, mobile broadband is unlikely to suit you – unless money is no object.
For that reason, mobile broadband is unlikely to replace ADSL or cable any time soon.
But, on the other hand, the mobile broadband facility is perfect for anyone who is away from home a great deal and needs frequent and ready access to their email while on the go.
It would be absolutely brilliant for occasional users who have more than one home but don’t want to pay for two broadband connections.
It has also become increasingly popular among students living in student houses where nobody wants to pay for a landline.
What does it cost?
Mobile broadband set-up and monthly costs differ considerably from network to network.
The usage allowance affects the price, but in general, the longer the contract the less it costs.
You will probably find it very helpful to consult a broadband comparison site and compare all mobile broadband deals and current prices.
Watch out…
As mobile broadband technology is still in the early stages of development and very likely to drop substantially in price in the future, it is advisable, say the experts, that consumers avoid extended contract periods.
On the other hand, if money is no object and you are happy to pay for the many advantages of a permanently connected laptop and welcome an escape from all the wires and cables necessary for standard broadband, then go for it!
Watch the video related to mobile broadband
Demonstration of how you set up and use mobile broadband from 3, using the Huawei USB Modem stick
Help answer the question about mobile broadband
mobile broadband?well im building a labtop on dell and one of the options is mobile broadband and the mobile broadbands are sprint,verizon wireless, and at&t are there any other companies i can get a mobile broadband from, if not which one should i get and what does a mobile broadband do ?
Yep.
mobile broadband is broadband internet service using the same basic system that cell phones use. that's why theyre usually coming from cell phone companies. i think tmobile offers the service as well.
your laptop will likely have the hardware built in…otherwise, it will have a pccard that is purchased from the cell company allowing you to us their service.
it's like cell phone service for your laptop…but theres no phone service, only internet. it's cool because its much better (but more expensive) than the internet service that would be one your phone, and you can get it from anyway…you wont need a hotspot because it's fed from satellite.
my advice is to do your research as far as quality of service…but if youre not sure which one you wanna go with, then dont get the hardware built into your laptop. you can buy the hardware (its just a small pc card…not very obtusive) from any provider when you get their service, as opposed to having a particular one permanantly built into your laptop.
“almost anywhere”
I tried it in my lead-lined bunker and got fook all connection.
Fat lot of good that did me.
how much did t-mobile pay u for this lol.
I use Wimax Long range wireless broadband It’s a little faster than 3g mobile broadband And you can recieve a signal from being up to 40 miles away from the base station ….The only advantage mobile broadband has is you can bring it everywhere with you since it’s it compact .I have used it before
STC sux big time man
i've subscribed for 3 monthes 
and still enjoying this bad connection ..
Mobily Broadband was AWESOME .. luv oldayz
Hey,
Great question. They can cost as much as $200. Good news is that there's a really good review that covers all the mobile broadband cards on the market right now. Most of them are listed as free or less than $50. There are a couple where you can make $100 from rebates.
Here's an excerpt from the review:
"There are 3 categories (USB, ExpressCards and PC Broadband Cards). Each gets compared side-by-side. See which card fits your needs based on:
1. Network
2. Speed
3. Operating System Compatibility
4. Extra Features
5. Price
To sweeten the honey even further, you can click on any card to read the full review and technical specifications."
The link is in the sources. Hope this helps!
“Almost anywhere”? Bollocks! The two places i tried it, it was crap! (Thats O2 Im on)
Just be very careful before you purchase.
you look like bill gates!
The problem with satellite broadband is that it is broadband only in the Internet to home direction, for the home to Internet direction, you still need a physical connection, usually which in your case would be dial-up. I am not sure why you do not wan to use the T-Mobile broadband through your cell, unless it is cost prohibitive, and I do not remember T-Mobile being that expensive. However, you may encounter roaming charges.
Here is the Official Ubuntu Mobile Broadband Documentation
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/NetworkManager/Hardware/3G
LUg.
Assuming you're running Vista: Go to START > Network
Click on Network and Sharing Center
On the left side, click on the "Set up a connection or network" option
Select "set up a wireless ad hoc" option.
That will enable PCs to directly connect to the "hotspot" PC
make sure that in the network options "allow others to acces the internet" option is selected and you should be fine!
no i don't think its possible u need a modem or a Wireless router with the modem
A lot of the time the service provider does not want you to do just that, so you probably cant or you have to upgrade to another data plan. I had the same issue with a phone internet connection, and wanting to share it with my notebook.
Thanks for this. WiMax, where available, indeed has many advantages as you note.