Mobile Broadband Providers

3 (Three) mobile broadband

Updated: Tuesday 04 January, 2011

By Editorial - news@consumerchoices.co.uk

Three mobile (www.Three.co.uk) offers a wide range of mobile broadband packages so that you can take the internet with you wherever you go.

You don’t have to be a Three mobile customer to use the ISP’s mobile broadband service and it even offers pay-as-you-go mobile broadband options for occasional use and one-month contracts for greater value without compromising on flexibility. Read our review of Three mobile broadband and compare its packages today.

About Three mobile broadband

Three (www.Three.co.uk) cut its prices and launched a selection of super-cheap mobile broadband packages in 2007, and with prices now as low as £7.87 a month, it really shook-up the mobile broadband market.

At the time of launch, John Penberthy-Smith, marketing director at Three, said: “Mobile Broadband from 3 means you can take the internet with you wherever you are. We've priced it to make it outstanding value for money; accessible to everyone, not just men in grey suits.”

Even today, Three offers some of the cheapest packages, and the highest monthly download allowance at up to 15GB a month.

Three mobile broadband coverage

The top speed available on the Three network is currently 5.6Mb, although its network can handle theoretical maximums of up to 7.2Mb. However, no mobile broadband customers actually receive their top advertised speed. Factors such as distance from your local mobile mast, obstructions like trees and buildings and how many other people are on the network all affect your speed.

Three's mobile broadband network is the UK's largest reaching about 97% of the population. However, you should still check the network coverage in your area before you sign up. You can do this online at www.Three.co.uk or in a Three store.

You can get more information about Three coverage in your area from our Three mobile broadband coverage guide, on Three’s website, or in any Three store.

Three mobile broadband deals

Three offers a range of pay-monthly mobile broadband packages with fair usage download limits of 1GB, 5GB and 15GB and additional data costs of 10p per MB. You also have a choice of one, 18 or 24 month contracts.

One month contracts and pay-as-you-go options are available if you don’t want to sign a long contract. You can get a rolling one-month contract, with a 5GB download allowance for £15.99 a month. You will have to pay for your mobile broadband dongle, but this can cost as little as £4.99.

Three laptops with mobile broadband

Three has one of the broadest ranges of free laptops available in the UK, including Acer laptops, Compaq laptops, Samsung laptops and Toshiba laptops at different times. Its packages also come with large data allowances, ideal for medium-to-heavy users.

Three sim-only mobile broadband

Three now offers sim-only mobile broadband contracts, making it even easier to get online.

If you already have an old mobile broadband dongle you want to reactivate, or if you want to switch from Three pay-as-you-go mobile broadband to a contract package, Three’s new sim-only plan is perfect.

Three’s sim-only mobile broadband comes with 5GB a month for £15.99 on a rolling one-month contract. You still have to have your own Three dongle to get online though.

MiFi: mobile wi-fi from Three

Three mobile now offers mobile wifi routers for customers looking to take their mobile broadband to the next level. Three's MiFi modem makes it easy to connect wireless-enabled gadgets like the iPod touch, gaming devices and laptops to the internet - you can connect multiple devices at the same time and without wires.

Mobile wi-fi from Three is available on pay as you go plans, one month contracts and longer 18-month plans. Compare mobile wi-fi with our guide.

Our expert’s verdict

Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “Three (www.Three.co.uk) offers the biggest selection of mobile broadband packages on the market, ranging from pay-as-you-go, to one-month contracts, to 18 and even 24-month deals, with a choice of download allowances going up to 15GB a month, and free laptop packages to choose from.

“Mobile broadband offers amazing freedom and is great for anyone who doesn’t want to pay over £13 a month for line rental or have a fixed-line broadband service. As long as you can stay within your monthly download allowance Three’s mobile broadband is cheap, reliable and soon to be even faster.”

Click here to Compare Broadband providers.