Mobile Broadband Guide

Pay as you go dongles

Updated: Tuesday 31 January, 2012

By Editorial - news@consumerchoices.co.uk

A pay as you go dongle is perfect if you want a mobile broadband connection but don’t want to sign a long contract. Read the pay as you go broadband guide if you are looking for short home broadband contracts.

Most mobile broadband deals come with 12, 18 or even 24 month contracts. However, if you only want to go online occasionally - on train journeys, at meetings or on business trips, then a pay as you go (PAYG) mobile broadband connection could be the solution.

Pay as you go dongles deals

Pay as you go dongles

Pay as you go mobile broadband dongles do not differ in any way from the hardware you get as a contract user - you can still get online wherever you want, and you can still use your dongle with any compatible netbook, laptop or desktop.

As with contract packages, your pay as you go dongle will come with “plug and play” technology that automatically installs the software you need to get online the first time you connect it to your laptop.

The only difference between a pay as you go dongle and a contract is that you will have to top up before you can go online. When you plug your dongle into your laptop you’ll be taken to your provider’s top-up page where you’ll be able to choose how much data you want for the day, week or month.

You can also buy pre-loaded dongles that come with a set usage allowance already on them.

However, you should always check how long your data will be valid for as some providers won’t let you carry unused data over to the next month.

You’ll also have to pay for your dongle if you get it on a pay as you go deal. However, you can now buy a pay as you go dongle for less than £10.

Why choose a one month dongle?

If you regularly use mobile broadband, then a one month contract might offer better value for money than a pay as you go deal. Rolling one month mobile broadband contracts offer the flexibility of pay as go - since you’re not committed to more than 30 days at a time - but offer better value for money.

Unlike a pay as you go dongle, you won’t have to top up with a one month deal - your allowance will automatically refresh each month, though you can buy additional data if you need it.

However, with a one month dongle deal you’ll need to keep an eye on your downloads and make sure that you never exceed your allowance. Unlike a pay as you go dongle, you’ll be able to keep downloading once you reach your limit - though you’ll be charged an out of bundle rate, which can range from 2.4p per MB up to 10p per MB depending on your provider and package.

If you find that you’re nearing your download limit - you can check by logging into your mobile broadband account - curb your usage or buy more data from your provider.

About mobile broadband

Mobile broadband dongles allow you to get online, no matter where you are. As long as you’ve got a mobile signal, your mobile USB modem stick will be able to connect to the 3G broadband network and you’ll be able to get online.

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