Mobile broadband

Depending on the type of device you want data on, you'll need different hardware. There are three ways to get mobile broadband:

Quick Question

• Can I use my phone's Sim card in my tablet/laptop/dongle and vice versa? Smartphone Sims have a mobile number attached to them – they aren't technically intended for other devices, but sometimes they will still work in them. Equally, sometimes a data Sim won't work in a smartphone.
  
  O2 and Three have told us their Sims aren't cross-compatible, so you won't be able to switch them between tablet/dongles and smartphones. Vodafone, EE, Smarty and Giffgaff, on the other hand, say their Sims will work across multiple devices, but you may need to change the Access Point Name (APN) settings – check with your network how to do this.
  
  If you want to share the data on your mobile plan with another device and you can't switch the Sim over, you can tether them to each other (which is often easier anyway)

Most tablets will come unlocked, meaning a Sim from any network will work in them. However, wireless hotspot devices and USB dongles are often locked to a specific network. As with smartphones, some of the networks may unlock the device for you at a cost, but this isn't a dead cert and it can be expensive.

With some devices, and wireless hotspot devices in particular, you can buy a code that will allow you to unlock it. Search for your device's name on eBay alongside the term "unlock code" – for many you can buy a code for £1 or £2. When ordering, you'll usually be asked for the 15-digit 'IMEI' number, which can be found relatively easily.

Depending on your hardware, you'll either be able to directly input the code, or you may have to do it via computer using specialist software. Follow the device-specific instructions that will be sent with your code.

Again, this isn't possible with all devices, but it can be an inexpensive way to give you the freedom to choose your plan.

To make sure you'll get decent coverage, before you take out a plan, consider where you're most likely to be using the service. It might even be worth getting a cheap pay-as-you-go Sim from the network so you can test the signal before committing.

There are four core mobile networks in the UK: EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. All other operators that offer 3G or 4G services 'piggyback' on one of these, essentially meaning they run off their network (ie, they don't provide their own signal). We've a full list of which firms piggyback on which providers – check the relevant network's coverage map before signing up. 

As with smartphone Sim-only plans, if you take a rolling contract with only a 30-day commitment, your monthly payments may end up higher for the same allowance. Consider whether you're willing to sign up for longer for the saving – or try it out on a short-term basis at first before committing.

If you go for a plan that comes with a wireless hotspot device or USB dongle, you'll very likely need to pay something upfront for the device if you take out a rolling contract. Often the device will be free, or at least much cheaper, on a 12-month contract.

Virtually all mobile broadband plans come with a limited data allowance, so it's important to conserve it where possible. Try to match your plan as closely as possible to your estimated usage.

If you're on the go, your first port of call should be to use free Wi-Fi hotspots where possible. If you know you'll want to download a larger file in advance, do it through your home broadband connection instead before going out. When you don't have access to Wi-Fi or it's just not convenient to use, though, you can still reduce your data usage in other ways.

Tips to minimise data usage

• Turn off automatic updates. Many programs, as well as operating systems themselves, routinely check for available updates and download them, sometimes gobbling up hundreds of megabytes.

  Turn them back on when you have the bandwidth, though, or you might leave security holes open on your machine.

• Turn off images when you use the web. If you're content to do without pictures when browsing (even just temporarily) then it's usually easy to disable them. In Internet Explorer, click 'tools', then the 'advanced' tab, and scroll down the list to 'multimedia'.

  In that section, uncheck the 'show pictures' box, and while you're there, the 'play animations in webpages' box. The procedure's similar in all browsers.

• Change your email settings. If you manage your emails with a program such as Outlook or Thunderbird, you may save data by signing up to a web-based service such as Yahoo Mail or Gmail.

  Redirect some emails to the web-based account, and if a friend decides to send you party pictures when you're away, you can choose not to download them till you get back.

  You could also change your settings to download headers only, or else set up filters which cut out less important or larger emails. How to do so will depend on the software you use, but most offer detailed guides.

• Get rid of ad/spyware. Adware and spyware programs, which usually manage to sneak onto your machine without you noticing, can use up your valuable allowance by talking to their leaders out in cyberspace.

  They can also leave your computer prone to attack by all manner of other nasties, so it's worth downloading a free tool to get rid of them (on another connection, if possible). Find one in the Free Antivirus guide.

Although top 4G speeds in theory can reach 300Mb/sec, in the majority of locations speeds are likely to be much lower. This means that for many people, mobile broadband won't be as fast as home broadband. (5G is an alternative but is expensive and currently limited in the UK).

For standard speed broadband – with average speeds of about 10Mb – expect to pay an equivalent £15/mth or less, while faster fibre deals are often around £20/mth when factoring in all costs and subtracting the value of rewards.

Our Broadband Unbundled tool makes it easy as it compares all the major providers' deals, plus deals we've handpicked, often including our own blagged deals and exclusive deals via other sites.

It's personal to you as it searches your postcode, and even checks if using two or even three providers is cheaper. We've full switching info in Cheap Broadband too.