Introduction
Mobile Broadband is a fantastic innovation which allows you to access broadband from almost anywhere, by simply plugging your USB modem, dongle, or data card into your laptop or desktop computer. The popularity of mobile broadband has far outstripped expectations over the past twelve months as consumers demand the coverage, flexibility, and convenience that only mobile broadband can provide.
Broadband is ideal for anyone who wants easy access to the internet from multiple locations or those who want to access the internet from home without the expense of fixed line broadband.
A brief history
Following the development of 3G technology in the late 1990’s the UK government auctioned 5 licenses which allowed companies to use this technology. There are five UK companies holding a 3G license; Vodafone, Orange, O2, T-Mobile, and Hutchinson 3G and they collectively paid a staggering £22.5 billion for their licenses during an auction in April 2000.
The original idea behind using 3G for the mobile phone operators was to generate revenue through service that weren’t available via the older 2G technology, such as video calls, faster WAP, as well as providing better call quality. By 2007 the mobile phone operators realized that these services were not generating enough revenue to warrant the colossal sums they had paid for their licenses, and mobile broadband was born.
How it works
Regardless of what type of device you use to connect to your mobile service provider, be it a modem, dongle, or data card, the technology works in the same way. You simply plug your device into your computer and you’re good to go. The device acts as a communication tool which provides internet access via the 3G telephone network, you don’t require any special software, everything you need comes built into the device.
Coverage
Although there is approximately 98% mobile broadband coverage, the speed of your connection can vary depending upon signal strength. If you are using your broadband on the move you can expect your connection to drop from time to time, and you wont be able to use it anywhere there is no signal, in a tunnel for example.
If you would like to check coverage in a specific area, please use our broadband postcode checker for more information.
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