Consumers are being warned to ensure they have good coverage before taking out
mobile broadband contracts.
Laptop and
notebook users opting to take out mobile
internet contracts should check online maps or a
3G mobile handset to check that there is good coverage in their area before agreeing to potentially lengthy and costly contracts.
Free connection is available in a number of high street chains such as McDonald’s and Starbucks, but without good general coverage, promises of generous data allowances and fast
download speeds will be irrelevant.
While fixed line services are invariably quicker and more reliable, there are a range of advantages to
wireless broadband deals, with notebook
PC users able to get online on the move, with an increasing number of
laptops containing the necessary technology meaning consumers may not require a
dongle .
The rapid increase in the popularity of mobile broadband deals has been partly prompted by the huge surge in
netbook sales, with consumers showing a preference for portability and affordability. This trend has not gone unnoticed by leading
mobile phone operators, with all major networks such as 3,
O2,
Orange and
Vodafone offering a selection of deals.