It may have once been a distant dream to be able to stay connected to the internet even while you were travelling and moving from location to location; but thankfully, with the introduction of mobile broadband services across Australia, this dream has now been transformed into reality. Mobile broadband is a completely wireless type of internet connection that can be available on portable devices such as a mobile phone, laptops, media tablets, and notebooks. With mobile broadband, Australian internet users no longer have to be away from an internet connection regardless of whether they are working in their office, or sitting in the park!
Top Mobile Broadband Plans
Internet service providers use the existing 3G mobile networks to provide mobile broadband to their customers. The unused bandwidth available on the cell networks is what is utilized for mobile broadband. However, since this is a wireless broadband, there are no wires or cables that connect your device to the mobile broadband provider. Instead, mobile broadband is delivered through various connection devices that could be in the form of data cards,
USB modems or USB sticks.In fact, with the increasing competition among ISPs and with the availability of innovative mobile products, there has been an increase in the type of connection devices available for mobile broadband. Today, it is possible to receive wireless internet through Micro SIM cards such as the ones that are being developed for media tablets such as the Apple iPad. However, mobile broadband USB continues to remain one of the most popular connection devices for wireless mobile broadband, and that is exactly what this article focuses on.
What is a Mobile Broadband USB and how does it work?
A mobile broadband USB stick is also commonly referred to as a mobile broadband dongle. It is a small stick type device that is inserted into the USB port of a laptop or a computer in order to start receiving a mobile broadband signal. USB sticks work on 3G technologies, similar to what cell phones work on. In fact, if your cell phone does not pick up a signal in a particular location, then your mobile broadband USB too will not be able to pick up an internet signal in that area.
The Benefits of a Mobile Broadband USB
Here are some of the main benefits of using a mobile broadband USB stick or mobile dongle:
- Unmatched flexibility and convenience: With the help of a mobile broadband USB stick, you can get a usable internet connection wherever there is a strong mobile signal. Since almost 97% of Australia is covered by mobile networks, this means that you should be able to use your USB stick practically everywhere in Australia. Hence, you no longer have to waste time looking for a wireless hotspot or a cyber cafe when you are on the road. Nor do you have to leave all your work in the field simply to rush back to office to dispatch an urgent email to a client. Thus, mobile broadband USB sticks offer the flexibility of an internet connection that is available 24/7, which is the need of the hour in today’s modern world.
- No need to deal with unsightly wires and cables: While it is true that wires and cables are an undeniable part of having a high speed fixed line broadband connection, it is also true that such wires can be quite a hassle to deal with and can also look extremely messy. However, with a mobile broadband USB, you do not have to worry about such things any longer. Not only are mobile dongles completely wireless, but the newer USB sticks are being designed in such a manner so as to be extremely striking to look at, thereby adding to your overall look.
- Can be available free of cost: If you are a regular user and need to use the internet constantly when you are on the road, you may be open to signing up for a long term contract for mobile broadband. If you do go in for this option, you can get a mobile broadband USB stick absolutely free. Most ISPs do not charge their customers for the dongles if they sign on for long term contracts. Hence, not only will you get a convenient wireless internet option that you can use anywhere and everywhere, but you can also save on the cost of the USB stick while doing so.
Since a mobile broadband USB stick works with laptops as well as with a desktop computer, you can use a single broadband connection for both these devices rather than spending money on a separate internet connection for the two. However, before you choose any mobile broadband plan from the hundreds that are available out there, make sure you compare different plans and check whether the mobile dongle is free as part of the package or it has to be paid for separately. You should also check the coverage area that will be possible through the USB stick that your ISP will provide you with.
