Mobile Broadband Comparisons – O2

There are several companies across the UK that provides mobile broadband services, including popular mobile phone provider O2, which was previously BT Cellnet.

O2 offer mobile broadband across four types of connection. The first, called GPRS, is the most commonly used by mobile phones and is the slowest way of connecting. Next, there is 3G, which is also very popular and offers a faster connection speed, at around 384Kbps. There is also HSPDA, which connects at the speed of 1.8Mbps. HSPDA is the fastest available connection using O2 Mobile broadband. Finally, O2 users can connect via WiFi services or “clouds” that can be found across an increasingly widespread area of hotels, Wetherspoon pubs, McDonald’s etc. These areas are known as hotspots and users can connect via services known as ‘The Cloud’. BT Openzone is available at pre-paid rates.

O2 offer three types of mobile broadband packages, Pay Monthly, Pay & Go and Business.

There are two variants of pay monthly contracts available. The first entitles users to 3Gb plus of unlimited WiFi usages for one, 18 or 24months. The one and 18month contracts cost £14.69 a month, while the 24month one, has a reduced rate of £9.70 for the initial four months.

The second option costs £29.38 for a one, 18 or 24month contract and allows users to use 10Mb plus unlimited Wi-Fi.

With the 18 and 24-month contracts, the USB modem is completely free of charge. However, for users taking up only a one-month contract it costs £57.81.

O2 also offer plans that are more expensive, but include a free laptop.