Going into the New Year, there are many ways to make sure you stay connected everywhere you go. Wi-Fi spots have become the norm in the UK, with shops, restaurants and even public transport offering free access to the internet for devices. Usually, these are free hotspots. However, the downside to these is that some charge by the hour, or if there is a high volume of devices, the connection could be slow and underperforming. If this is the case, you might want to consider looking at the best mobile broadband deals.
The invention of 4G and going into 2022, 5G, has made staying online a breeze for customers. As long as there is a mobile signal, customers can have access to the entire internet and social media and maintain connections away from home. Not just for your mobiles either. If you find that the screens are too small for the work you are doing, mobile broadband works for tablets and laptops too.
Check out this helpful guide to choosing the best mobile broadband deals and cheap broadband offers for the new generation of connectivity. The prices are correct at the time of writing, but for up-to-date information, go to our broadband comparison site.
What to Consider
The amount of cheap broadband offered on comparison websites can seem intimidating to some. But it is important to consider the different features for each deal.
These include:
What Equipment is There?
There are many ways to stay connected to the internet with mobile broadband.
Dongle
A Dongle is plugged into the device you are using's USB port and wirelessly connects to the phone network. Vodafone offers a range of cheap broadband offers with differing lengths of contracts. The K5161 Data Dongle is 4G ready and can be connected to any device with a USB slot. For either 12 months or 24 months, depending on how much data you need, the price varies from £10.00 to £33.00 per month, with no upfront costs and a free 14-day return.
O2 also offers different Data Dongle deals, for either 24 months or 1 month. This short-term feature may be one to consider for those who are not sure and do not want to commit for two years. With an upfront cost of £24.00, the total for this brief deal comes to £59.00 for unlimited data; this cost differs depending on how much data you require. Comparing it to Vodafone, it is the more expensive choice, however, it offers a wide range of choices that could suit you better.
Our pick is Vodafone's Data Dongle as it is both cost-effective and offers different deals depending on the amount of data. The choice is yours to determine which is the most suitable. However, for those who want a bit of everything: for 12 months and 10 GB of data, it is £17.00 per month. For more information on how to pick the best mobile broadband deals for you, find out more by signing up for our Newsletter.
MiFi
A Mobile WiFi router (MiFi) is a transportable device that will create a wireless connection on the go. Unlike the Dongle, the router can have more than one device connected to it, so it would be an ideal choice for families or workgroups.
Currently, Three offers devices to connect to both 4G and 5G. For 12 months and unlimited data, the Three 4G Hub is available for £17.00 per month and the Three 5G Hub is available for £31.00 per month. Though it will offer a stronger and faster connection, the 5G option is one of the more expensive choices that may put some customers off. However, for an additional bonus, for 24 months at £31.00 per month, the offer includes a free Samsung Chromebook that can be connected to the MiFi.
One downside to the MiFi, specifically the 5G option, is that the network area is currently restricted and is primarily city-based. This will be improved going into 2022 and is looking to become 10 to 20 more times more powerful than 4G. Make sure you are up to date with the latest technology on our Instagram.
Data-only SIM
For those who do not want to remember to carry a device, a Data-only SIM may be your ideal choice. This allows a suitable device to use your specific data allowance for an internet connection.
EE mobile broadband deals offer a wide range of contracts that differ from the months to the amount of data. For one month, 10 GB of data is £15.00 per month and 40 GB jumps up to £20.00 per month. Though at face value it might not seem like the best deal, however, for existing customers there are added benefits for choosing this option. Each month, there is a 10& loyalty discount for existing customers' deals and an option for up to 20 GB of data as the contract goes on. This option is definitely the best mobile broadband device for EE customers. For those not with EE, it might be worth checking out your own mobile provider and finding out if they also have similar benefits for their clients.
These are only a few options when considering the best mobile broadband deals. For more information, go to our comparison site Broadband Money Saver for the latest cheap broadband offers and TV packages. Contact us at [email protected] for specific recommendations.
Daisy works as a content creation specialist at broadbandmoneysaver.com
