Mobile broadband allows access to the internet through wireless devices such as a portable modem, telephones, personal computer (PC) cards, USB modems, USB sticks or internal mobile broadband modules.  Mobile broadband allows you to access the internet while travelling for business or pleasure.  It is also a popular method for accessing broadband internet in rural or remote areas that do not have fixed line broadband access.

Mobile Broadband Speed

Mobile broadband can be a slower service than fixed line broadband.  This is because mobile networks are currently not as advanced and capable of handling large amounts of data as fixed lines.  A lot will depend on the use to which you are likely to put your mobile broadband service.  Regular internet browsing can be as fast as when using fixed line broadband; however, the downloading and uploading of material can be significantly slower.

Optimal and Average Speed

Mobile broadband service providers will sometimes state the optimal speed achieved by their service, as opposed to the average speed.  Mobile broadband can slow down significantly when the mobile network has a lot of users, which often happens at peak times during the day.  At other times, when the number of users drops, the speed can accelerate to optimal levels.  It is advised to check the differences in speed during the day compared to your most likely usage times.  You may discover that you can find faster speeds using a different service provider.

Type of Modems

Mobile broadband requires you to have a mobile modem. These are available in two types: USB stick and MiFi. The USB stick requires the modem to be inserted into the device you want to connect with.  You can use multiple devices with a single USB stick, but it does require slightly tricky networking or an expensive router made especially for USB modems.

MiFi modems allow multiple devices to connect at once.  It is a wireless device that does not connect to your computer physically.

Speeds

Almost all mobile broadband providers offer the 3G network with speeds up to 7.2 Mbps.  Depending on the plan you choose, the actual speeds may be less.  During peak usage times, speed decreases.  If you want to stream videos and music, higher speeds are necessary.

Restrictions

Most providers restrict usage each month.  After you meet the maximum usage for the month, these results may occur: the mobile broadband provider may stop your service entirely for the rest of the month; the provider can charge you per MB that you go over; or you can choose to drastically reduce or throttle your speed for the remainder of the month.

Contract

Mobile providers typically require you to sign a contract.  You must remain with their service for the term of the contract, especially for discounts on equipment.  Compare mobile broadband services for the best deal.

Types of Security Problems

Overall, attacks on your system are categorized as internal and external.  Internal problems typically seem normal enough, such as phishing emails that appear to be from your credit card company asking for personal information.  These typically either collect personal information when you follow a link in the email or install a program that searches your computer for your information and sends it back to the origin.

External problems most often come in the form of viruses or hackers that attack your computer while it is connected to the internet.  These attacks typically happen without any warning and can be extremely dangerous.

Firewalls

One of the best ways to protect yourself is installing a firewall.  Many operating systems already have one built in.  However, many broadband providers also include a firewall with your service.  Firewalls block any attempts to send or receive data without your permission.

Anti-Virus

Broadband providers sometimes include free subscriptions to anti-virus programs to help keep your system safe. Anti-virus programs help block known viruses and attacks from occurring and help remove existing viruses.

A Quick Call

By calling your current broadband provider, you may be able to receive exclusive discounts and even new equipment.  Most providers do not advertise these deals; calling is the only way to know.  Many providers will offer specials when they believe a customer is ready to cancel their service.

Contracts

Before you switch broadband providers, check to see if you are still under contract with your current provider.  Even the best deal may not be worth it if you are required to pay a large early-termination fee to your current provider.  Most contracts are over within two years.  If the fee is larger than your savings, consider staying with your provider until the contract ends.

Compare

Compare all aspects of your current plan and provider with potential new providers.  This includes price, contract terms, equipment costs and speed.  Also check to see if a new provider has any restrictions.  A cheaper plan may not be your best option if the speed is significantly slower or your usage is heavily restricted.

The Switch

When you are ready to switch, do not cancel your current provider’s service until you have the new service installed.  Many providers offer a trial period.  Compare the new plan to the old before cancelling.

What You Will Need

Running a broadband availability test requires a few pieces of information.  You must provide your complete address, though some broadband providers allow you to run an initial check based on your postcode.  For cable broadband, you must also provide your telephone number.  Many places also offer a check for all broadband providers in your area at once, so you only need to enter your information a single time.

Different Plans

Many broadband providers offer different types of plans and services.  Services may vary based on your location.  Once you have checked to see if broadband is available in your area, the provider will list which services and speeds are available in your location.  The farther you are from a central coverage area, speeds often become slower.

Requesting Service

Broadband providers want your business.  If broadband is not available in your UK area, you can request service.  If enough potential customers request service, the provider will consider installing the equipment necessary to provide service to the area.  Providers will only know about the need for service in a particular area if customers request it.

Equipment

The type of equipment a broadband provider uses is a major player in what service they offer.  A broadband provider can only handle a set amount of users and bandwidth at any given time on their networks.  A provider with a smaller network will more than likely offer slower speeds to gain more users.  This helps to decrease bandwidth.  The quality of the lines the provider uses is also essential to speed.  The higher quality the line, the more data it can transmit at a time, which equals faster speeds.

Network Congestion

To prevent a network from becoming overly congested, broadband providers offer only the speeds their network can handle.  A congested network slows the speeds for all users.  By offering slightly slower speeds, a provider can offer a more consistent experience for users.

Peak Times

No matter what speeds a broadband provider offers, you will notice times when the service seems slower. Despite a provider’s best intentions, during peak times of use, speeds may decrease.  Peak times equal more users and increased bandwidth usage.  Peak times are typically during business hours and late evenings.  Early mornings and late nights offer the fastest speeds for almost all providers.

Broadband service providers continuously develop new contract deals, packages, special offers and discounts.  They do so because the market for broadband internet access is highly competitive.  Consumers have become increasingly price conscious, computer literate and demanding.  High download allowances, to take an example, are not restricted to professionals dealing with work related production but can also be needed by those seeking to access films, music or other material on the internet.

Common Broadband Deals

Common broadband deals include broadband and digital television, broadband and free laptops, broadband and home telephone service, broadband bundles (internet plus digital TV plus home telephone line) or broadband and mobile broadband options.

Digital Television

Choosing your broadband and digital television services from one provider has the advantage of simplicity: there is only one contract from one provider.  The deal may be offered by several providers in your area so it is best to check prices and the precise details of the contract before signing.  Digital television options to consider are the number of channels, the installation costs, the set box cost, the length of the contract, the ability to opt out of the contract by giving notice and additional landline costs.

At present, digital television in the UK is offered through cable, satellite, IPTV, Freeview or a digital set top box.  You may live in a property that has a satellite dish or other equipment already installed.  You can check with different broadband service providers to see if your address is registered and active already, which could save on your set up costs.

It’s important to shop around when looking for broadband providers, because the prices and services can vary somewhat, and you must weigh your realistic usage needs against the cost.  There’s no point in paying over the odds for a super-fast business-oriented connection if you’re just checking emails, for example.

Companies such as Tiscali Broadband, TalkTalk Broadband, Think Broadband, Be Broadband and even Tesco Broadband are in fierce competition for your custom, and there are a lot of broadband deals out there for the taking.  In this connection, broadband comparison websites are useful in narrowing down the choice of the best deals of the day.

As with the utility companies, broadband providers will after they’ve signed you up make a habit of slowly hiking the price as time passes, and if you’re tied into a contract period you’ll have to bear this in mind.  Once the period is up, however, feel free to shop around again.  Broadband providers such as Orange Home Broadband, PlusNet and the rest will be negotiable on price if you’re not completely satisfied.

Broadband providers usually provide additional freebies such as free web space, email addresses and spam protection, so make sure to ask about these before you sign up, as they can vary considerably.

Three different packages are available on Be.  The cheapest, Be Value, is only £13.79 per month.  With up to 12Mbps download speed and an upload speed of up to 1.3Mbps, it is ideal for anyone looking for great value for money.  Also, Be claim that the connection speed is never reduced to make room for more users.  The package comes with a free wireless modem.
   
Be Unlimited offers a 12-month contract at £17.88 per month.  This contract can be reduced to 3-months for £20.43 per month.  With speeds of up to 24Mbps, it is ideal if you want really fast connection and unlimited usage, while unlimited downloads are another key selling point.  The final package, Be Pro is the next level up.  It is priced at £21.97 per month or £24.52 for a 3-month contract, with a £24 connection fee.  Offering speeds of up to 24Mbps, unlimited downloads, static IPs and free 24/7 support it is an ideal package for homes.  This high-end broadband connection is a perfect deal for dedicated gamers and for anyone who uploads high volumes of data.

‘The All Rounder’ package is £12 per month if you are already on O2 and £17 for new customers.  It is a great package for music and TV lovers, as you can download as much as you like.  With double strength wireless for longer range and 200 web texts per month, this package provides you with great value for money.  There is free 24/7 phone support, up to 10 email addresses, the O2 calendar and three McAfee Security licences.  The final package ‘The Works’, also has the double strength wireless, but also includes a static IP address.  This option is great for larger households or gamers.  All the benefits of the previous packages are included, along with 500 web texts per month and five McAfee Security licences.  O2 really does reward its customers.