Tips For Getting The Best Mobile Broadband Deals (And Cheap Internet)

By Ravi Kumar - Thursday 1 November 2012 No Comments

All providers say they have the best mobile broadband deals but chances are, only a few of them stick to their word. To really grab a good deal, you must assess whether or not they are telling the truth or just practicing false advertising.


      Most people who sign up for mobile broadband feel cheated by their providers. Internet is either slow or has unbearable signal. With a contract at hand, that means being stuck with poor internet for months or years! Trying to get the best mobile broadband deals should be the first consideration when looking for internet and this is done by comparing all deals side by side.

The following tips will not only get you the best mobile broadband deals but they will also keep you from regretting your choice.

Step 1: Look for providers with the technology of your choice

Mobile broadband is available in third-generation (3G) and fourth-generation (4G) technology. 4G can be up to 10 times faster than 3G but is not yet available in all countries. 3G is more widespread but it doesn’t deliver speeds that can match up to 4G. When this option is available to you, look for providers offering the technology of your choice.

Step 2: Choose a provider that has good coverage

Now that you have a preferred technology, compare providers to determine which has the best 3G or 4G signals. You can use your smartphone or compatible tablet for this step. If you don’t have one, you can borrow your friend’s device for testing.

Connect a device to 3G or 4G and see how strong its signals are in your home and areas of the city you frequent. The strength of signal on a device reflects the quality of coverage. Perform this step using SIM cards of different providers. That way, you can compare their services to one another and narrow your options to those with good coverage.

Step 3: Choose your plan

Mobile broadband is available in two packages – pay as you go (PAYG) and contract. Both mobile broadband deals have their pros and cons.

With PAYG, you have to pay for mobile broadband based on the time spent online. The time limit with PAYG ranges from one day to a month, depending on the provider. The biggest advantage of pay as you go is that you can cancel any time. Because of this, many people use PAYG mobile broadband to test the services of each provider before signing up for a contract. However, you have to pay for the dongle up front and deal with costlier fees.

A contract ties you to a provider for an extended period. Contracts are usually offered in 12- and 24-month packages. Data may be capped each month but some providers offer unlimited data use. Switching to other providers is difficult and impossible early on.

Mobile dongles are given free to contract subscribers. Monthly fees are also more affordable with a contract. Unfortunately, you will be stuck with the same provider for a very long time. And while some of them give you one month to opt out of a contract, you still have to give a notice of cancellation.

Step 4: Compare prices

Compare PAYG and contract prices of different providers. Don’t forget to consider upfront fees, limitations on data use, and contract period when comparing prices. That way, you can better decide which provider offers the best packages.



Author biography: Judene Macariola spends some of his time writing articles about various internet options. He works as an analyst for Broadband Expert, a company that helps people find the best mobile broadband deals in their area.




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