5 Great Tips to Consider before you Select a Mobile Broadband Provider
May 30, 2011 by Joe Linford
Filed under Tech Tips
Mobile broadband has enjoyed a recent explosion. The plethora of free laptop deals advertised on the high street shows that telecommunications carriers consider mobile broadband to be central to the future of online access. If you’re new to the idea of mobile broadband, here are some questions you need to answer before you decide what package to get.
Mobile Broadband
Mobile Broadband
Source – dmcl
Pay As You Go (PAYG) or Contract?
Is this your main connection to the internet, or are you looking for an occasional connection when you’re on the road?
Main source → Contract
Filler → PAYG
Contract mobile broadband packages give you a faster connection speed and a higher data allowance than the prepaid counterpart. If the dongle is receiving a poor signal in your location, you have a ‘cooling off period’, that allows for refunds. You will also be eligible for any laptop deals the carrier has on offer.
PAYG comes in two varieties: pay per block of time – day, week, month – or pay per chunk of data and use at will.
Why shouldn’t I make PAYG my main source?
If you’re a light user who only checks emails, but isn’t interested in social networking or watching TV online, then PAYG as a main source is a good idea. Bear in mind that the more you use, the more you will pay and the internet can be an addictive beast.
Data Limit
It’s all about the data. Users are charged by the megabyte and those who exceed their limits are likely to face extra charges. It’s exactly the same as exceeding your free monthly minutes on your mobile phone. Data limits currently range from 0.1GB to 25GB. When deciding on the size of your monthly limit, it’s useful to consider what sites you visit most frequently. Will you watch TV online? Will you download music? If the answer is yes, you’ll quickly rack up the bytes.
Free laptops or tablets.
“Free laptop” deals are all over the high street. They work by building the price of the laptop or tablet into the cost of the line rental, so it’s more of a hire purchase arrangement. Some deals ask for a small payment upfront, reducing the line rental slightly, but you’re still paying the same amount whichever way you cut the cake.
Roaming
Do you intend to use the dongle outside the UK? If yes, then bear in mind that roaming is extremely expensive, even with the €50 (approx £45) EU cap in place. Look at the roaming packages offered by your chosen carrier in Europe and the rest of the world. If you have a PAYG dongle, not all carriers will activate it for international roaming and those who do charge hefty prices.
Length of contract
Most mobile broadband contracts last for 24 months and if you are purchasing in store, there’s no room for negotiation. Look around online; there are some shorter contracts available with internet dealers.
If you’re considering using the same carrier for mobile broadband and mobile phone, it might be worthwhile calling them to negotiate a bespoke deal, especially if your mobile phone contract is approaching renewal.
Remember, mobile communications carriers are looking to make the maximum out of you, so look to negotiate the most for your money.
Once you’ve answered these questions for yourself, there are plenty of price comparison sites that will show you what the market offers.
About the guest author – Marie-Paule Graham writes for Broadband Genie and Mobile Phone Genie, the independent comparison websites for broadband and mobile phones such as the HTC Salsa.
Mind Your Mobile Manners
April 6, 2011 by uttoransen
Filed under Tech Tips
If you’ve ever worked in any kind of creative industry you’ll shudder at the mention of the phrase “I don’t know what I want but I know that this isn’t it!” You’ll be familiar with a client or boss who decides you need a “rolling brief” where they tell you about the changes they want to see put into your work on an hourly basis and they think that this helps.
How do Mobile Marketers attract Brick and Mortar Business?
February 25, 2011 by uttoransen
Filed under Social Media
What is mobile marketing? Mobile marketing is a marketing strategy that involves the usage of mobile phones or hand held devices to advertise and promote a particular business to a target audience. It may involve text messaging, mobile web sites, mobile applications or a fusion of all three. Mobile marketers can teach mobile strategies, implement mobile marketing techniques and train their customers staff on ho to use these methods.
Cisco buys Mobile Broadband Equipment maker firm Starent Networks for $2.9 Billion
October 13, 2009 by uttoransen
Filed under Tech News
Cisco is on a heavy acquisition mode; this is their second acquisition for this month and a strong one. Cisco, the network equipment giant had decided to buy out the mobile equipment making, “Starent Networks” for a huge $2.9 Billion. The price of the deal is based on a premium of 21% over the Monday’s closing share prices. Cisco’s plan is to tap the growing smartphone market, which requires high-speed Internet access.
Nokia E90 Review
December 25, 2008 by uttoransen
Filed under Tech and Gadgets Review
Nokia E90 is the new communicator from Nokia. The previous version was the 9500. The difference between the two is that the new one is smaller, and smarter.
Looking to get a Mobile – Nokia N96
October 10, 2008 by uttoransen
Filed under Tech and Gadgets Review
You will surely agree to the fact that mobile phones have really acquired a lot of popularity in the last decade or so. Although, they were in use before that time, but today, you can find them in every part of the world. With an increase in popularity, different mobile companies stepped forward to produce something extraordinary. Today, you can find such mobiles on the block, which are much more than just a mobile.
