Find the right mobile internet device

Mobile internet access is offered by many suppliers and can be delivered through a variety of devices.

With such a wide choice of networks, tariffs and equipment, how do you know which is right for your business? Matt Powell from Broadband Genie takes a look at the options.

4G or 3G connection?

Before we look at different pieces of mobile internet equipment, it's worth considering the two main types of mobile connection: 3G and 4G.

Both types of connection use mobile phone networks to get you online. 3G is well-established and by far the most-common type of mobile internet connection. Coverage is available in most parts of the UK, and it offers reasonable speeds of up to around 5mbps (megabits per second) in areas of strong signal. This is more than adequate for checking email or visiting websites.

A newer development in mobile internet access is 4G. It can provide you with a much faster connection than 3G. In strong signal areas, you may be able to connect at 20 — 30mbps. That's faster than most people's home broadband connections.

These connection speeds mean you can handle demanding tasks like downloading large files or watching high-definition video. As 4G connections become common, the technology will be a major boon for business users.

However, 4G is not without its issues. The biggest problem is coverage. Although EE, O2 and Vodafone all offer 4G services, coverage is limited to larger towns and cities. You'll also pay a (sometimes considerable) premium over 3G tariffs.

As more 4G suppliers enter the market, prices will fall and coverage should improve. However, right now it's only worth considering if most of your mobile internet use happens in areas which definitely have 4G coverage, and if you're sure you'll benefit from the faster speeds. If not, choose 3G for now and then upgrade once 4G is more established.

With both 3G and 4G connections it is worth remembering that the actual speed you get will depend on where you are and how strong the signal is. There are still parts of the UK where 3G and 4G are not available at all.

Mobile internet on your laptop

Mobile internet dongleThe simplest and cheapest way to get online is with a mobile internet dongle (pictured right). This small piece of equipment looks like a USB memory stick. It plugs into one of the USB connections on your laptop and contains a SIM card, providing you with 3G or 4G internet on the go.

Basic USB dongles can be purchased from all the main mobile phone networks. You can get them free on contract and they're inexpensive (£20 — £40) on pay-as-you-go tariffs. However, USB dongles are only designed to work with a single device at a time, and only generally work with laptop computers, not tablets.

Typically, mobile internet access via a dongle on a contract will give you access to faster connection speeds, higher download limits (so you can use the connection more each month) and a better price — if you plan to use your mobile internet dongle regularly.

If you don’t plan to use your mobile internet dongle so often, a pay as you go service will almost certainly be lighter on your pocket. However, it may also see your mobile internet connection running at a slower speed.

Mobile internet on your tablet

Wi-Fi dongleIf you want a connection that can be shared between several devices or used with a tablet computer then it's worth opting for a Wi-Fi dongle (pictured right).

Sometimes called MiFi or pocket Wi-Fi, these provide a local wireless network to which any Wi-Fi device can connect to the internet. This means you can use them with a tablet, smart phone or games console as well as a laptop. 

Wi-Fi dongles are slightly pricier than USB dongles, but give you much more flexibility to get your iPad or Android tablet online.

If you’d rather not carry around another gadget, and only require mobile internet access on your tablet, then you may want to purchase a tablet with mobile data built in.

The iPad and many Android devices are available with optional SIM card slots for mobile internet access. When coupled with a compatible SIM you don’t need anything else. The connection is handled by the tablet’s own mobile communications hardware. 

Tablets with mobile broadband built in tend to be more expensive than Wi-Fi only models. However, you can often get a tablet free when you buy it as part of a mobile internet contract.

Newer tablets offer 4G and 3G support, so you can be confident that your model is ready for the jump to superfast mobile broadband if and when you decide to upgrade.

Mobile internet on your smart phone

The smart phone is a device that’s defining a generation. You can browse the web, send emails, blog, take pictures, use GPS navigation, shoot video, use social media services like Twitter and Facebook, play games and use apps — all while retaining the humble features of sending a text message and making a phone call.

Naturally, all smart phones support mobile internet. They all offer 3G, with many now also capable of 4G connectivity.

However, your smart phone can also be used as an alternative to a dongle. Many models offer wireless tethering, where they effectively function as a Wi-Fi dongle to allow other devices to connect to mobile broadband.

It's usually fairly straightforward to set up tethering in your phone's settings. If you only require mobile internet access occasionally then there’s really no need to buy a dongle or pay for another contract.

However always check with your network before turning on the tethering function. Some mobile contracts don't permit tethering at all. Others will make you pay an additional fee to enable this feature.

Matt Powell writes on behalf of Broadband Genie and Mobile Genie, a comparison websites for broadband, mobile broadband and mobile phones. Read their guide to dongles.