| Are you toying with the idea of a change from | | | | month. |
| your fixed line broadband to mobile broadband? | | | | Which is best for downloading? |
| Do you know enough about the difference | | | | If you are a prolific downloader, landline broadband |
| between the two to be able to make a sound | | | | should definitely be the broadband of your choice. |
| judgement call? | | | | Mobile broadband connections at present have |
| In this article we aim to make it easier for you to | | | | relatively small monthly usage limits and restrict |
| decide by comparing such things as speed, | | | | users to little more than checking emails, some |
| reliability, cost, downloading options and ease of | | | | surfing and perhaps watching a few YouTube |
| access. | | | | clips. |
| Which is better for broadband speed? | | | | You would have to be careful not to incur too |
| Mobile broadband speeds depend on the | | | | many additional charges when watching your |
| accessibility of 3G mobile network coverage. | | | | favourite weekly programmes on BBC iPlayer, as |
| The speed of landline broadband connections, on | | | | a single one of these might take up as much as |
| the other hand, mostly hinges on how far you live | | | | 10% of a 3GB monthly download limit. |
| from your local exchange. | | | | If that is a bit of a turn-off, the good news is |
| Mobile broadband speeds currently range between | | | | that T-Mobile mobile broadband, one of the mobile |
| 1.8Mbps and 7.2Mbps. These speeds are very | | | | broadband providers, doesn't penalise anyone who |
| competitive with some landline broadband | | | | exceeds their monthly limit, though it does come |
| connections but vary considerably, dependent | | | | with a 'reasonable use' stipulation. |
| upon the network being used and the coverage | | | | So where does this leave us? |
| footprint. | | | | At present, a mobile broadband connection is |
| As with landline broadband, you cannot set too | | | | invaluable for anyone who needs internet access |
| much store by advertised speeds and mobile | | | | when they are away from home or beyond |
| broadband connections become far slower outside | | | | hotspots. |
| the 3G coverage areas. | | | | The time will undoubtedly come when mobile |
| If your present fixed line broadband connection is | | | | broadband connections are used in every home in |
| faster than 5 or 6 Mbps, it is doubtful at the | | | | the UK, though whether as the main form of web |
| moment whether you would be able to improve | | | | access or as a backup is uncertain at present. |
| on that with a similar mobile broadband connection. | | | | It's easy to see why it is thought that mobile |
| Which is cheaper? | | | | broadband users will eventually exceed landline |
| At the bottom end of the mobile broadband deals | | | | ones, though the jury is still out on whether |
| range, prices start from £10 a month for Three | | | | landline connections will be replaced altogether. |
| Mobile's basic package with its 1GB limit, comparing | | | | The final word on this subject, and what can |
| favourably with several budget land line broadband | | | | confidently be predicted, is that the number of |
| packages. | | | | mobile broadband customers will without a doubt |
| At the other end of the spectrum, mobile | | | | increase, suggesting that the mobile broadband |
| broadband is for the most part more expensive | | | | market will eventually become as widespread and |
| than say a typical fixed line broadband provider | | | | indispensable as the landline broadband market is |
| like Virgin Media broadband, which offers a | | | | right now. |
| broadband, TV and phone bundle for £30 a | | | | |