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Beginner’s Guide to Mobile Broadband

admin — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:27:01 +0000

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!

Broadband is a speciality of technology writer Shirley Stevens. Her pieces can be seen on sites that feature the best broadband deals and offer mobile broadband deals including the best mobile broadband in the UK.

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Vodafone Comes Top in Mobile Broadband Tests

admin — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 21:26:40 +0000

It’s official, Vodafone’s mobile broadband service is officially the fastest and most reliable in the UK. The provider has come top in independent trials of a range of mobile broadband providers. The trials took place in a number of locations across the U. K to determine which operator provided the fastest service.

Vodafone was found to be up to 4 times faster in downloading a web page than the slowest competitor. The network was also found to be upto 10 seconds faster when downloading a 2mb file.

The tests were carried out by LCC, the largest independent wireless engineering company in the world. They conducted over 28,000 network tests in locations independently selected over March, April and May.

In all, 28000 tests were conducted in 140 locations. These included:

15 airports11 shopping centres33 hotels10 service stations27 business locations including business parks and offices and 22 rail stations

The reports key findings were as follows:

Vodafone mobile broadband internet was up to 77% faster than the slowest operator when downloading a 2MB file Download speeds on Vodafone mobile broadband are 1. 2Mbps/13. 54seconds compared to 764kbps/21. 44 seconds for Three, 683kbps/23. 99 seconds for Orange, 812kbps/20. 17 seconds for 02 and 993kbps/16. 15 seconds for T-Mobile. Vodafone was up to 278% faster to open a web page (compared to slowest operator performance): VodafoneVodafone UK’s mobile broadband internet takes 6. 7 seconds compared to 12. 7 seconds on Three, 7. 45 seconds on 02, 7. 8 seconds on T-Mobile and 25. 67 on Orange

The report comes in the wake of media criticism of mobile broadband providers for a lack of transparency over actual connection speeds

Jeni Mundy, Vodafone UK’s CTO states “This is fantastic news for our customers, as this research shows that they can be assured of both the highest reliability and speed.

A spokesperson for Genesis Communications, one of the largest distributors of Vodafone mobile broadband said: “This report proves that Vodafone mobile broadband is the fastest and most reliable mobile broadband around. At Genesis we are committed to offering our customers the very best in communications technology and this is evidence of this. ”

Mobile Broadband ProviderGenesis. co. uk
Sales Enquiries: 0844 847 9606

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Vodafone Mobile Broadband, Whats the Story?

admin — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:42:38 +0000

Vodafone are widely considered to be the most expensive of the UK mobile broadband providers which is one of the key reasons that it lost its number one spot to current market leader Orange. Many market analysts are suggesting that Vodafone lost the number one spot not because Orange were doing anything outstanding, but that in fact Vodafone (along with 3) were simply getting it wrong. One of the key selling features of the Vodafone product is the ability to roam in over 100 countries, which is why their broadband is more popular with business customers than home users. The average spend of a business customer is higher than that of a home user so perhaps this may go some way to explain the higher average prices. It maybe worth noting that Vodafone prices have taken a tumble recently bringing them more in line with the industry average. If you have been doing your research and have found conflicting customer opinions, there is an obvious explanation for this. The biggest issue is expectation. People have a reasonably fast broadband service at home, provided through their telephone line, then when they hear about mobile broadband, they make the assumption that they will get the same speeds, which unfortunately is not the case. Not only that but the actual download speed can vary depending upon your location, the strength of signal, and how many other people are using the service in that area at the same time. This isn’t just an issue with Vodafone, it’s an issue being faced by users on every network. The following are differing examples of customer opinion as posted on broadband comparison website WhyBroadband. co. uk:Tony; “I bought one of these things a few months ago and it is unbearably slow to the point where it’s useless. I haven’t tried another provider but I just think it is shocking that Vodafone are taking peoples money for nothing. ”Jane; “ I have to say I don’t know what the fuss is about. My Vodafone broadband is great. I have to previously tried a comparable T-Mobile product but it was no where near as good as this. Great service from Vodafone. ”On a positive note for potential Vodafone customers in densely populated areas there will soon be the option to use their “superfast” mobile broadband which has speeds of up to 7. 2mb/s as opposed to their current standard of 3. 2mb/s. This service is currently only available throughout the London area and at every major UK airport. Vodafone are currently in the process of rolling this service out to major metropolitan areas such as Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, and Manchester, with other areas set to follow. In the UK Vodafone uses standard 3G technology which makes use of the same network used by mobile phones. In order to use wireless broadband you will need either a Laptop or a PC running Windows XP or Windows Vista. If you are using a USB device it is basic plug and play, with the necessary software automatically installing with minimal fuss. For most people in the UK, mobile broadband is simply a fad, brought on by insistence by providers to offer free laptops as an incentive. I’m sure you’d agree that mobile broadband isn’t for everyone. Our advise would be to check the coverage in your area (see link below) and go for fixed line broadband if it is an option. For those of you who will inevitably feel left out when it comes to getting a new laptop, it may be worth looking at the offers from AOL, which often include a free laptop with their fixed line broadband.

Why not check out all the latest Vodafone Broadband reviews or compare all mobile broadband deals with WhyBroadband. co. uk.

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