Mobile Broadband Dongles vs Fixed Broadband: Pros & Cons

Choosing the right type of broadband Internet service can be a very difficult task to undertake. In addition to selecting the right provider, speed, and plan, you also have to choose between different types of services, like mobile broadband and fixed broadband. For the average consumer, all of these choices can be overwhelming. To make things a little less stressful, it is generally a good idea to figure out whether mobile or fixed broadband is right for you.

Mobile Broadband:

This type of service will be highly appealing to people who are always on the go as well as those who always need to be connected. It gives you the flexibility to go online anywhere via specialized computer dongles that plug into your USB port. As long as you’re within the range of your network and have your laptop and dongle with you, you’ll be able to get connected.

Mobile broadband may be able to help you cut down on your monthly Internet costs. Traditional services that rely on line rentals tack on extra fees to your bills, but mobile broadband does not require line rentals. This can save you a substantial amount each year.

Mobile services are also easy to install and flexible. Once you plug the dongle into your computer, you’ll be ready to go with no need to install any extra software. There are also tons of plans to choose from that range from pay-as-you-go plans with daily access fees, to monthly plans that are based upon the amount of Internet usage you require.

There are some disadvantages to mobile services. For example, data uploads and downloads will be limited, and there are high fees to pay if you exceed them. Downloads are generally limited to between 0.5Bb and 5 GB/month for most plans and 15 GB/month for more costly plans. You can also expect slower connections overall, and you will only be able to connect in areas that are covered by your 3G network. However the emergence of new ‘4G’ technologies such as LTE mobile broadband and WiMax have the potential to dramatically increase speeds.

Fixed broadband:

Also known as home broadband or high speed internet, this service will provide you with connectivity whenever you are within the range of your router at home. Today, fixed broadband is incredibly cheap and there is a very wide range of plans to choose from that will suit nearly anyone’s needs. In addition to relatively low prices and the large selection of plans and providers, fixed broadband currently offers fast speeds, higher download and upload allowances, and more consistent connections than fixed broadband.

Like mobile broadband, fixed broadband has its disadvantages. For example, there are line rental costs and you can’t connect to the Internet via your service outside of your home. For some people, especially those who are not technically savvy, setting up a home broadband network, or even a single connection, can be quite difficult. All of the hardware and software must be installed by the user, and you may end up talking with technical support for long periods of time, which isn’t always free to do. Lastly, if you ever wish to switch to a different provider, you may have to pay extra fees.

Making the decision:

Ultimately, the decision between mobile and fixed services will come down to where you need connectivity as well as pricing, download limits, and coverage areas. For people who own smartphones with decent data plans, mobile broadband may not be worth considering.