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If you’ve ever wanted to access the internet on the move, check your email on the train, or show someone a website you found over coffee, then mobile broadband could be just the thing for you. It used to be that people who needed it for work were the only ones who used mobile internet connections, but now the internet is becoming a fixture in most of our lives, and being able to access it on the move can be a real advantage.

Mobile broadband uses the mobile phone networks to provide a broadband internet connection, anywhere you happen to be, so that connecting on the move becomes as easy and natural as making a call on your mobile. All you need is a USB modem plugged into your laptop, and away you go…

How do I get started?

One of the great things about mobile broadband at the moment is that there’s lots of choice. There are quite a number of suppliers offering a wide range of options at different prices, so it pays to be informed, and to shop around. One of the easiest ways to do this is to use an independent online comparison service, such as Mobile Broadband Genie. This avoids you having to look at all the suppliers’ sites individually, by gathering all the information together in one place – so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding a package that’s right for you. And to get you going, here’s some things to look for when assessing the different options.

The first question is, do you have a laptop? A lot of mobile broadband providers are currently offering free laptops with their contracts, so if you don’t already have a laptop or badly need an upgrade, this is definitely the place to start. Whilst you pay more for a contract which offers a laptop, it can help you to spread the cost and normally results in you getting the laptop for a discounted price. Having a laptop or netbook which suits your needs is the first step to getting connected on the move, but don’t forget to check that both the laptop and the contract suit your requirements.

The next thing to look at is contract length. Contracts are usually 12, 18 or 24 months, and normally offer you the USB modem for free. You may get slightly better prices or other incentives for signing up for longer, but of course this does prevent you shopping around as other deals come on the market. If you’re not keen to commit to a contract, there are pay-as-you-go options which allow you to ‘top up’ as needed, either by purchasing more data allowance or more time – but bear in mind that you may end up paying more for the flexibility.

Next, look at the speed of the connection being offered. Broadband speeds are a little contentious, as suppliers are allowed to sell them as ‘up to’ a headline speed, without any guarantee that you’ll get that speed on your particular connection. However, most mobile broadband speeds will be suitable for normal browsing, so unless you’ll be using your connection for a lot of downloads or online gaming, speed shouldn’t be too much of a concern – and upgrades to networks means that speeds are likely to improve as time goes on.

And the last piece of information to take into account is the download allowance on each package. This is a limit on the amount of data you can download per month. Mobile broadband is a little more limited in its allowances than fixed line broadband, with data caps starting at a relatively low 1GB. Generally, though, the average user will be fine with a 3GB limit for browsing and downloading. Over-use can result in some expensive penalties, so as with all contracts, make sure you know what you’re getting, and read the small print.

What you need from your mobile broadband will define which package will suit you best, and being well informed and using a site like Mobile Broadband Genie will do the rest!

About the author: Chris Marling is editor of www.broadbandgenie.co.uk, the independent comparison website for broadband and mobile broadband.