Ask Our Expert

Mobile broadband VoIP

Our Broadband Expert says...

Dear John, there are a number of different things that you need to take into account when using mobile broadband VoIP. The first, as you mentioned, is whether or not the quality of the calls will be as good as with a fixed-line connection. As with ADSL broadband connections, mobile broadband download speeds can vary significantly depending on where you live and how congested the network is, and you’re right in thinking that this might affect your calls since VoIP relies on a stable connection to work.

You also need to think about whether or not your chosen provider even allows internet telephony (VoIP) calls over its mobile broadband network, and what effect this will have on your monthly download allowance.

Mobile broadband speeds

If you want to use a mobile broadband connection as a replacement for your home internet, then it shouldn’t be too hard to work out the kind of speeds to expect. Each provider offers an online and in-store mobile broadband coverage checker service to show you what kind of speeds you'll get. However, even if you're told that you live in an "up to 3.6Mb" area, you shouldn't expect to actually get 3.6Mb. As with your fixed-line connection, this is the theoretical maximum that you could receive. Even in up to 7.2Mb mobile broadband areas, customers usually only get speeds of between 1Mb and 2Mb.

If you want to use your mobile broadband connection on the go, you should also be aware that speeds will vary depending on the kind of coverage you get.

If you want to check out the kind of speeds you'll get, without having to commit to a long contract, you could try a pay as you go mobile broadband dongle, though this would mean that you would have to pay for your mobile USB modem stick. Alternatively, O2 Broadband (www.O2.co.uk) offers a 50 day Happiness Guarantee on its pay monthly mobile broadband packages.

Are VoIP calls allowed?

Currently only T-Mobile Broadband (www.T-Mobile.co.uk) blocks calls to VoIP networks like Skype. However, this restriction only applies to its Mobile Broadband Plus package, with a 3GB monthly download allowance. Customers on the more expensive Mobile Broadband Extra package are allowed access to internet calling sites. Mobile Broadband Extra costs £30 a month on a 24 month contract and comes with a 5GB fair usage allowance.

None of the other mobile broadband providers; 3 Broadband (www.Three.co.uk), O2 Broadband, Orange Broadband (www.Orange.co.uk), Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com) or Vodafone Broadband (www.Vodafone.co.uk) currently have restrictions to VoIP services.

Watch your downloads

You do need to keep an eye on your downloads though, as your internet telephone calls will count against your monthly download allowance and bills can get expensive if you exceed your limit. Out of bundle charges vary from 10p per MB with 3’s pay monthly to £15 per GB Vodafone’s pay monthly plans. Once your allowance has expired, most pay as you go plans require you to top up again before you connect to the internet.

Most mobile broadband packages have a monthly download allowance of 3GB - though you can get 5GB and more if you’re willing to pay extra. The average VoIP call uses between 30MB and 35MB per hour, so an hour a day for one month would use just over 1GB.

You can install our free Broadband Download Monitor to keep track of your downloads. It also allows you to set alarms to alert you as you near your limit.

NB Best buy tables (orange background) are always current.

Examples in the text of the article (white background) are correct at time of publication.

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If you have a general switching or provider query please email us at OurExpert@broadbandchoices.co.uk

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