Guide For Getting Connected to the Mobile Internet

As far back as 2003, Laptop Computers exceeded Desktops in terms of sales numbers and shipments. While desktops are still very common in businesses and for those wanting and needing the ability to personalize and customize a computer for the majority of people, a laptop is simply so much more convenient and useful.

However one of the laptops greatest strengths – its flexibility and portability – can in some ways work against it also as without a fixed Wi-Fi connection in your office or at home, its ability to access the Internet is completely restricted. Fortunately a fairly new technology – 3G and HSDPA – provided by Mobile Phone networks worldwide has been developed to meet this need.

To utilize this new technology with your laptop you simply need to obtain a Mobile Broadband dongle which plugs into the USB port of your computer. This dongle includes all the software that you need to connect to the Internet and based on the type of contract you have chosen you can be online pretty much immediately after plugging it in!

In terms of coverage it pays to ensure that the company that you select for your Mobile Broadband needs has full network coverage in your area of usage. As most companies offer this service, chances are good that your current Mobile Phone provider is one of them. If you are using a newer phone with a data plan you can actually trial the service you would be receiving as the coverage would be very similar (Mobile Broadband dongles do provide a higher speed as they are able to utilize your computer for processing which is most probably significantly faster than your mobile phone) and if your connection is constantly dropping out, you probably want to look for another company. Again, in most cases simply by going to the phone companies’ website, you will be presented with a page that informs you of their coverage and network map. You want to make sure that the map matches your expected usage patterns based upon where you live and work.

The final thing to consider when connecting to the Mobile Internet is the type of contract you are going to get from your telecommunications provider. Most companies will offer a PAYG (Pay As You Go) structure and a monthly plan with a fixed term. Based on your expected usage – for example, Students away from home, would probably be well suited with a contract as their data usage will be high and having a fixed monthly charge will help in their planning and budgeting whereas a business person travelling to a new country would probably only need to get a PAYG dongle which they can top up if and when needed – and coverage, your choices should be fairly clear and self explanatory.