When the Global mobile Suppliers Association carried out its annual mobile broadband survey in March 2008, it identified 637 separate devices enabled with the HSPA (High Speed Packet Access) technology that allows you to connect to the 3G network.
As well as the usual USB modems, 3G mobile phones and data cards it also found mobile broadband wireless routers, personal media players and even a HSPA enabled camera.
USB modems are the most common hardware given out on a mobile broadband monthly contract. They come with simple “plug and play” technology so that all the software you need is automatically installed when you first plug your modem in.
USB modems are given away for free on most mobile broadband contracts, though customers signing up for pay as you go mobile broadband or 12 month contracts might have to make a payment towards theirs.
USB modem stick
USB modem sticks are the latest in mobile broadband modems and allow access to faster speeds than some standard USB modems.
They are smaller than USB modems - the size of a USB memory stick - but also come with “plug and play” technology to get you online as quickly and as easily as possible.
Some providers only offer USB modem sticks to customers signing up to longer 18 and 24 month contracts, but all charge a higher fee for them.
Data cards
Some business mobile broadband providers, such as Vodafone, also offer ExpressCards, or data cards, to get you online. As well as the “plug and play” technology, data cards also come with adaptors for PC card slots - great if you haven’t got the latest laptop with a host of USB ports to spare.
Mobile broadband wireless router
Vodafone also offers business users a 3G broadband Wireless Router - the perfect alternative to a fixed line connection, allowing you to connect up to five computers at a time, either wirelessly or with cables. Though if you do have more than one person using the connection at the same time, you’ll have to make sure that you keep a close eye on download limits to ensure you don’t rack up a big bill for exceeding your allowance.
What’s right for me?
Although they can be a little more expensive, it makes sense to go for a “future proof” USB modem stick - especially if you’re going for Orange, T-Mobile or Three - both of which will be upgrading their networks to deliver speeds of up to 7.2Mb by the end of 2008.
Try to avoid signing up to an extremely long contract just to save £50 on the modem you want because by two year’s time, when you’ll finally be free of that contract, you’ll have missed out on loads of great deals and will have been paying over the odds for an outdated tariff for too long.
contact us 
