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Dongles
If you’ve just signed up for mobile broadband then the chances are that you’ve been given a 3G dongle. Dongles are the most common type of mobile broadband modem and they’re the kind that looks like a mouse - and are about the same size too - and connect to your USB port by a cable.
All dongles come with “plug and play” technology so there’s no need to install any software; you just insert your mobile broadband sim card and plug in your dongle. The software will automatically be loaded onto your laptop and you’ll be able to connect to the internet within minutes.
3
Three (www.Three.co.uk) offers a range of dongles, which are charged at different prices depending on the plan you choose, the length of the contract you sign, and whether or not you take its pay-as-you-go mobile broadband option.
3 offers two different dongles and a USB modem. The two dongles are both free on any of its 18 or 24 month contracts and also to Broadband Plus and Broadband Max customers on 12 month contracts. 3 is currently only charging £49.99 for its dongles on either the 12 month Broadband Lite package or to pay-as-you-go customers (normally £99.99).
This means that you have a choice of the curved, white dongle, a sleek, black ZTE design or a limited edition pink and black dongle. And if you don’t like any of these visit the ThreeSkins store for a selection of interchangeable covers for your modem - anything from leopard print to camouflage to the Union Jack.
T-Mobile
T-Mobile (www.T-Mobile.co.uk) only offers one style of dongle, and one USB modem stick. Its white, curved-edged dongle with the T-Mobile logo is free on all pay monthly contracts but costs £99.99 on its pay-as-you-go option.
Vodafone
Vodafone (www.Vodafone.co.uk) now offers two dongles, both are classic, white mouse-shaped modems sporting the red Vodafone logo but one offers theoretical maximum speeds of up to 3.6Mb while the other allows a faster maximum of 7.2Mb like its USB modem stick.
The dongle’s cost varies depending on the package that you go for and the length of the contract that you sign. Mobile Broadband 3GB customers signing either a 30 day or 12 month contract will be charged £49 for the slower 3.6Mb dongle or £29 on an 18 month contract. Those signing a 24 month contract will get it for free.
The faster 7.2Mb dongle will cost Mobile Broadband 3GB customers £99 on a 12 month contract, £69 on an 18 month contract and £39 on a 24 month contract.
Mobile Broadband 5GB customers cannot sign up for a 30 day contract but those on a 12 month contract will be charged £19 for the slower modem, while those on either the 18 or 24 month contract will get it for free.
The faster 7.2Mb dongle will cost Mobile Broadband 5GB customers £59 on a 12 month contractor £19 on an 18 month contract. Those signing a 24 month contract will get it for free.
O2
O2 (www.O2.co.uk) mobile broadband, which is currently only available to O2 broadband, pay-monthly or pay-as-you-go mobile customers does not offer a dongle. Instead only a USB modem stick is available.
Orange
As another recent entrant to the market, Orange (www.Orange.co.uk) also only offers a USB modem stick with its Internet Everywhere package. Older dongles are not available.
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