Mobile Broadband

Sim-enabled laptops

The latest breed of laptops come with built-in mobile broadband that allows you to get online no matter where you are, without even having to connect a dongle or modem.

What is built-in mobile broadband?

Built-in mobile broadband, or a sim-enabled laptop, is the cutting edge of mobile broadband technology.

You get a mobile broadband sim card, as you would with any other mobile broadband contract, but instead of putting it into a mobile dongle or even a MiFi modem, you insert it directly into your laptop.

All the software you need will be automatically installed on your computer and you’ll be able to connect to the internet wherever you get mobile broadband coverage.

Click here for information on sim-only mobile broadband.

Is my laptop sim-enabled?

Only certain models of laptops are sim-enabled, and need built-in mobile broadband capabilities in order to connect directly to the mobile broadband network.

Increasing numbers of laptops and ultra-portable netbooks are being made with sim card slots that allow you to get online in this way, and some mobile broadband providers even offer sim-enabled models as part of their “free laptop” deals.

What if I don’t have built-in mobile broadband?

If you have a laptop that you want to use on a mobile broadband connection but it isn’t sim-enabled, you can still get online using a dongle or a mobile wireless modem, which allows you to connect multiple wireless-enabled devices at the same time - so you can go online with your laptop, check your emails on your iPod Touch and email pictures directly from your digital camera, all at the same time.

Which providers offer sim-enabled laptops?

Currently only Orange Mobile Broadband (www.Orange.co.uk) offera packages which include a laptop with built-in mobile broadband. However, if you buy a sim-enabled laptop outright, Three (www.Three.co.uk) offers sim-only mobile broadband contracts.