- The Guardian, Monday July 14 2008
If the stickers dotted around coffee shops are to be believed, the UK is one big Wi-Fi hotspot. But unfortunately, a hotspot is often not a free spot. While it's nice to believe we're living in a free wireless internet utopia, in fact you'll probably have to pay for your web surfing along with your skinny mocha. Combine that with the fact hotspots are location-dependent, and getting online no longer seems quite so easy.
Signing up for a dedicated mobile broadband service removes some of the guesswork involved in attempting to access the internet out and about; you still have to pay, but you're not at the mercy of temperamental Wi-Fi zones. All of the major mobile phone companies now offer the service: a USB receiver plugs into your computer, utilising the 3G network to access the internet. Speeds vary according to your provider and the strength of the signal in any given area.
Like mobile phone tariffs, monthly subscription rates depend on different criteria such as contract length and download speeds. But the most important numbers to look out for are the download limits imposed by providers. Usually these are around two or three gigabytes, so if you're looking to watch TV programmes or download music and videos it's best to go for the higher tariffs. It's wise to sort it out: going over your monthly allowance can prove costly - as can using mobile broadband overseas. Both are best avoided.
