Mar 4, 2011
Best PAYG dongles
Pay as you go mobile broadband is recognised as the perfect option to back-up regular broadband with mobile broadband or as a supplement to home broadband for people who are looking to connect on the go. Pay as you go (PAYG) mobile broadband gives you the same connection speed as any other mobile broadband without signing a contract. Currently the competition for your business is high so you can get some really great PAYG mobile broadband deals and the best dongle offers online. New deals are coming online every day so it is best to confirm the offers below by using our sponsored links right.
To access a mobile broadband network you’ll need a mobile broadband USB dongle, or a mobile wi-fi dongle, a laptop, or tablet PC with mobile broadband built in. All of the mobile providers now offer mobile USB memory sticks rather than the older, mouse-like dongles that were initially provided. You just plug the dongle/memory stick into your computer’s USB port and you are connected to the internet wherever you are. Mobile broadband dongles simply enable your computer to access mobile 3G networks. The speed of your connection usually is not dependent on the dongle itself, but on the speed of the network you have.
Decide how you will use your PAYG dongle before you decide which option will suit you : either paying for a specific segment of time (either one day, one week, or one month, depending on provider) or a specific amount of data use via a wireless broadband service. For example, if you opt for a pay per day deal, there will be a fair usage policy in place which will limit you downloading videos. Whereas if you select a specific amount of data use for a set time you will lose any unused data after your time limit. Note that if you decide to go for a PAYG dongle, you’re going to have a time limit and a GB limit whichever option you choose.
Check out the very latest deals today by using our links.
- visit the three website
- Visit the Orange website
- Visit the o2 website
- Visit the Vodafone website
- visit the T-mobile website
Additionally, with a USB dongle you won’t be able to connect more than one computer at a time. To do that you’ll either need to go for a mobile wi-fi dongle – referred to as a MiFi- or buy a mobile broadband wireless router. Mobile wi-fi dongles are a cross between a USB dongle and a wireless router. They are also sometimes referred to as ‘mi-fi’ dongles ( this is a brand name originally couched by the network operator 3). The ‘MiFi’ can connect multiple devices to the mobile internet over the airwaves, essentially giving you your own portable Wi-Fi hotspot. Like other mobile broadband services you can use MiFi on the go – plus unlike normal dongles you can use the MiFi to connect iPhones and iPod Touches to the internet too. Mobile broadband really comes into its own when you use it with portable devices such as laptops and phones as you can access the internet on the go.
Mobile wi-fi dongles act as hubs that let you wirelessly connect multiple devices to mobile broadband simultaneously. Unlike dongles you don’t have to plug a mobile wi-fi dongle into your computer’s USB port. Mobile providers 3 Mobile, Orange, Vodafone, O2 and T-Mobile currently offer a competitive range of dongles.
3 Mobile’s sleek MiFi PAYG dongle, pictured above, costs £71.99 with 3GB pre-loaded (limited period only – check our 3 sponsored link -top right) or pay £69.99 with a capped, £15 a month contract. Topped up and ready to go – just plug it in and surf away. When you run out of data you can buy a top-up and convert it to the Add-on of your choice. This offer from 3 is valid until March 31st 2011 and includes 3months free access to The Times website. 3 has been rated no1 network for Mobile Broadband in the latest YouGov survey.
3′s MiFi includes set-up instructions, a charger and a cable to connect it to your laptop. Even with no charge, the MiFi will work with full functionality when plugged into a laptop so you can use it and charge its battery at the same time. 3′s MiFi comes preloaded with credit, so you don’t have to worry about buying a pay as you go (PAYG) voucher, and the step-by-step set-up instructions are straightforward. Turning the MiFi dongle on and connecting it to 3’s mobile broadband network is simple using the small buttons on the side of the dongle. Download speeds are faster than upload speeds and is acceptable for browsing the internet.
A normal single dongle must be plugged directly into a USB port which means you are limited to connecting to one device, or laptop. The MiFi dongle is a wireless making it a portable WiFi hotspot so it does not need direct contact with your computer. You should be able to leave your MiFi in one place and use your laptop or iPhone Touch up to 30m away, although internal walls will shorten the signal. You can connect an Apple iPhone 3GS or 4; or an iPod Touch to the MiFi. If you have several laptops in your home the MiFi should be able to have them working at the same time; or you could browse the net on your computer while downloading apps on your iPod. The more activity you have with several devices simultaneously will affect the overall speed.
The best seller for a single dongle is also available at also at 3 Mobile – a PAYG USB modem stick pre-loaded with 1GB data allowance costs only £20.99. Vodafone’s super-fast USB modem stick at £19.99 includes £15 top up with a set up price £25. Compare this with T-Mobile USB modem stick £19.99 plus a £10 top up and PAYG mobile broadband at £2 a day, £7 per week and £15 month thereafter – This offer includes free broadband for one month with the first top up.
Committing to a broadband dongle contract is a difficult step when new and better PAYG deals are being offered almost every week – you might feel that as soon as you sign up for a package, or offer, another better deal will come along. The best thing about mobile broadband and PAYG dongle deals is you are free to move to other offers as they come along. Contract deals, on the other hand, usually involve signing up for a service that may not suit you as your circumstances change. PAYG is therefore very sensible for thrift and flexibility.
Check out the very latest deals today by using our links.
- visit the three website
- Visit the Orange website
- Visit the o2 website
- Visit the Vodafone website
- visit the T-mobile website
