What is a mobile broadband dongle?

The term ‘dongle’ has become synonymous with mobile broadband. A dongle is the device (attached to any computer via USB) that gives your computer mobile broadband.

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Mobile broadband dongles are portable modems that plug into the USB port of your laptop or computer providing internet access via 3G signalling. Dongles are popular with business and personal users alike as they offer greater flexibility and increase communication opportunities.

Mobile dongles are also widely referred to as mobile modems, mobile USB modems and USB modems, though the term dongle is perhaps the most widely used.

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As the idea of the 'dongle' is such a new concept and the word does not exist in many dictionaries, many misspellings of dongle (singular and plural) exist. For example: dongal, dongals, dongel, dongels or even doggle or doggles! We'll stick with the correct spelling of 'dongle' in this guide.

Who offers mobile broadband via mobile broadband dongles?

• Vodafone offers a range of mobile broadband dongles, the most popular being its small and speedy "USB Modem stick" starting at £15 a month. With speeds of up to 7.2Mb and download allowance of 3Gb, this offer is a real no-brainer.
• 3’s mobile USB modem dongle comes free on many of the 3 packages. Offering 1Gb downloads and speeds of up to 3.6Mb, 3’s £10 per month offer is great value for money.
• T Mobile's USB dongles offer speeds of up to 4.5Mb and download allowances of 5Gb - 9/10 T Mobile customers say it "works like a dream".
• Orange's dongle is the sleekest and fastest they've ever made, offering speeds of up to 7.2Mb.
• Virgin Media joined the mobile broadband party later than some companies. But it has more than made up for it with a service that offers speeds of up 7.2Mb and some attractive price points for deals.
• O2 O2 dongles get you online at speeds of up to 3.6Mb and start from just £9.79 per month.

Advantages of mobile broadband dongles:

• Mobile dongles are often free of charge when taken with a contract.
• USB dongles give internet users greater flexibility with the convenience to access the internet when away from the home or office.
• Developments in mobile broadband in recent months have seen mobile dongles become smaller, sleeker and faster.
• Mobile dongles run on the battery of your computer and therefore do not need to be charged.
• Mobile broadband dongles can be used in both laptops and computers making them ideal for regular use as well as in emergencies.

Note:

• Mobile broadband dongles often have download limits of 1Gb and 3Gb. This makes them ideal for people who simply want to check emails and do light browsing, but this usage allowance may not be enough for those who want to download large files such as songs and movies.
• Speeds obtained via mobile dongles depend on the strength of the signal of the mobile operator with whom you have your agreement. For instance, if Vodafone supply your mobile broadband, places where the Vodafone signal is strong will have faster speeds than those where only one or two bars of coverage can be accessed.

Mobile broadband dongles on the market:

• Vodafone USB dongle

This sleek, lightweight USB modem offers excellent value mobile broadband.

• Dimensions: 89 x 43 x 14.5mm
• Technical specifications:
• PC: Windows® XP, Seven or Vista
• Apple® Mac: OS X Panther 10.3.9 or higher

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• T-Mobile USB dongle

T Mobile’s mobile broadband packages provide you with a 4.5Mb connection, which matches a standard home broadband connection. T-Mobile mobile broadband is easy to set up - you just plug it in and get online for hassle-free broadband whether you're at home or on the go.

• Dimensions: 89 x 43mm x 15
• Weight: 50g
• Technical specifications
• PC: Windows® 2000, Seven, XP or Vista
• Apple® Mac: Apple Mac OS X

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• 3 USB dongle:

3 offers a large range of mobile broadband packages and mobile modems/dongles to suit every user. 3's £10 per month option is a popular one with casual users looking to lightly browse the internet on the go, while their "Max" options give customers far more downloads for every pound they spend.

• Dimensions: 86 x 44.3 x 10mm
• Weight 40g
• Technical specifications:
• PC: Windows® 2000, Seven XP or Vista
• Apple® Mac: Mac OSX

View and compare the latest 3 mobile broadband packages on offer here.

• Orange USB dongle

Orange's Mobile broadband Everywhere 24 package is a great option for those looking to check emails and download the odd song when on the go. Orange's dongle is a state-of-the art device that plugs into the USB port of any laptop or computer giving broadband speeds in seconds.

• Dimensions: 63 x 26 x 13mm
• Weight: 40g
• Technical specifications
• PC: Windows® 2000, Seven XP or Vista
• Apple® Mac: MacOS

Compare Orange mobile broadband deals and offers here.

-Virgin Media dongle

Virgin Media's mobile broadband packages start at just £10 per month, which gets a download speed of up to 3.6Mb and monthly usage of 1GB. Higher-end deals feature a faster speeds of up to 7.2Mb.

• Dimensions: 70.15 x 25.64 x 11.60 mm
• Weight: 50g
• Technical specifications
• PC: Windows® 2000, Seven XP or Vista
• Apple® Mac: MacOS

Compare Virgin Media mobile broadband deals and offers here.

-O2 dongle

O2's mobile broadband packages are very keenly priced and allow you get online at speeds of up to 3.6Mb from just £9.79 per month.

• Dimensions: 71 x 25 x 12mm
• Weight: 30g
• Technical specifications
• PC: Windows® 2000, Seven XP or Vista
• Apple® Mac: MacOS

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Still not enough information? You can also try Wikipedia for more dongle info