Mobile broadband technology enables wireless wide area networks (WWAN). Simply put, it provides high-speed wireless internet access to portable devices via cell towers. With mobile broadband technology, you can connect to the Internet wherever GSM- or CDMA-based cellular service is available for mobile Internet connectivity. This allows an individual to maintain internet connectivity while moving from location to location without relying on her Wi-Fi hotspot. Mobile broadband technology uses a cellphone or dongle to provide internet access (often over 3G/4G or LTE networks). You use your phone as a modem to connect to different wireless networks in order to access the web and anything on it.
Types of Mobile Broadband Technology:
There are two main types of mobile broadband:
- Device Based: The device you attach to your computer acts as a modem, connecting to wireless networks and translating back and forth between the internet and your computer. Device-based devices include the following:
- Mobile Broadband Cards (Modems): These are small cards that fit into a USB port on your desktop or laptop computer, allowing you to connect wirelessly to the internet. They have different speeds depending on their wireless technology and varying costs. Mobile broadband is a good way to start exploring the wonders of the internet without paying too much in the beginning.
- Modems: These are small devices that connect wirelessly to your computer via a USB port. Some have a physical antenna, while others are embedded into the device itself. They come in all shapes, sizes, and costs. Mobile broadband is particularly great for laptops, as you can use it almost anywhere there is Wi-Fi available – at school, work, home pretty much anywhere there is Wi-Fi (which is most places nowadays).
- Serve Based: The device you attach to your computer is a server ( web server you connect multiple computers and devices to the internet simultaneously. All of these can come with a monthly internet allowance (data plan), or without.
- Mobile Broadband Routers: These are small boxes containing a Wi-Fi router and an antenna that broadcasts data to any and every wireless network within range. These are great for anyone who wants to share their internet connection with multiple devices, but remember that the speed is split between all users – so if you’re sharing with 3 other people, each person gets one-third of the full speed available. Also, remember that mobile broadband routers are for external use only.
- Mobile Broadband plans: Mobile broadband plans come in 5 MB, 10 MB, or unlimited data plans. The fastest speeds available will depend on the phone attached to your computer – many come with LTE versions that are much faster than older 3G/4G versions.
Expenses:
The costs vary greatly depending on what type of device (dongle or card) you get and where you purchase it. Most offer only a basic plan, which includes 300 MB of bandwidth. This is only slightly more than one hour of streaming in HD on Netflix, so if you’re using it primarily for internet access, this should be more than enough for a few days. If you are using it for streaming media, be sure to get the highest data plan possible.
Mobile Broadband Cards:
These start around $40 and go upwards to $100 depending on the speed and wireless technology that is used. Mobile broadband cards are very portable as they can be easily taken from one device to another. Just remember that unless you have a Wi-Fi network readily available, you will need to purchase a mobile broadband router to share your internet with multiple devices – these cost around $40-$50. Mobile broadband cards can be used on multiple devices, such as computers, handheld gaming consoles (PS3, Xbox), Blu-ray players, etc.
Mobile Broadband Dongles (USB Modems):
These start around $40 and go upwards to $150 depending on the wireless technology and speed. Mobile broadband dongles are a bit more desirable than mobile broadband cards due to their portability – they just need a USB port to connect via a USB cable. They also take up less space on your desktop or laptop computer than mobile broadband card modems.
Mobile broadband dongles are only usable via the computer they are attached to unless you purchase a mobile broadband router. Once the dongles are inserted into the computer, they appear just like a hard drive. They can be used on multiple computers and other devices, such as game consoles, which is great if you don’t want to buy a mobile broadband router. Many types of mobile broadband are eligible for monthly payment plans that require no upfront costs. Keep in mind that monthly payments often carry an extra fee per month whereas paying in cash only will not have any additional charges added.