Andrew Peterson asked:




At the time when there is a talk of information revolution worldwide, it becomes important to see what are the factors that propel the pace of this revolution. The emergence of Internet and broadband come in a bigger way. This technology has equipped us to access a wide range of information in a very short time. The broadband service has facilitated us to find information quickly. The broadband connection is divided into two categories as home broadband and Mobile broadband .

In the home broadband connection we need a cable set up with other installation equipments, but in mobile broadband you need just dongle or USB modems to access internet. After the emergence of satellite based system, people have been facilitated with various network standard in the use of GPRS, 3G, WiMAX, HSPA etc. The terminology mobile broadband refers to the wireless technology to access high speed internet through the portable modems like PC data card, USB modems, USB sticks with data modems and inbuilt mobile broadband notebook. It is also compatible with any PC, laptop or Mac so this connection proved to be a cost effective service for high speed and a good alternative especially for the office users. Another facility in this service is the freedom to change the network provider without any pre-information. So if you are not satisfied with the service and performance, you can switch for other.

In the prior days when people had dial-up service, they had  to buy a landline connection that was engaged while using internet access. Sometimes that system used to be very frustrating because of slow speed and limited downloading options. But in the mobile broadband connection one can find enough downloading facility along with high speeds of 2MB, 4MB or 8MB. There are different modems are available in the market that promises different downloads and speeds.   

Today in the UK we have several mobile broadband providers like Vodafone, Orange, Virgin Media, T-Mobile, O2, 3 and many others. They have been offering their USB modem sticks to access high speed internet connection and good downloads at very reasonable prices. Almost all these companies provide their mobile broadband connection under several deals such as contract deals, free gift offer, and Pay As You Go. In the contract deal users have to sign a contract of a certain time limit that may be 12 months, 18 months or for 24 months. Until the contract period expires, users have to pay a monthly rental bill. On the other hand in Pay As You Go, users have to pay only for the usage.

So, overall mobile broadband has definitely changed our way of using internet along with roaming place to place.

Andrew Peterson asked:




Today, the mobile broadband is the most effective method to access Internet. It offers the facility of accessing Internet anywhere and anytime. There are several broadband providers existing in the market today who are offering broadband connections to the people at cost effective prices. These include Orange, T-Mobile, Vodafone etc. These broadband providers are coming forward with various enticing deals with their broadband services to allure the customers. The pleasure of the broadband connection increases if one also gets a free laptop along with the service. The free laptops that are offered along with the broadband services are mainly the entry level specification laptops. These are good quality laptops used for various purposes like office use, web browsing etc.

Buying a laptop may cost you a lot. But you can now easily avail it for free by going for a Home or Mobile broadband service. This will enable you to save lots of your money which can be used for some other purposes. Mobile broadband is a superfast method of Internet connection. The presence of USB dongle performs an important role of connecting the users to the world of Internet where they can do a variety of things like chatting with friends, sending and receiving mails, writing blogs etc. And when one gets a free laptop along with the broadband service then it really becomes a “grab-on” offer for the users. Thus, a Free Laptop with mobile Broadband is a highly impressive deal. The trend of offering incentives to those people who are willing to take out their mobile broadband services is increasing day by day. Today service providers are offering various interesting packages and one of the most impressive one is the free laptop mobile broadband packages. Such packages vary from provider to provider. The free laptop bundles are offered by the service providers on different contract plans.

The mobile broadband with free laptop package provides an individual with a free laptop along with a broadband service thus making it possible for the users to surf Internet or do some other important activities on free laptop anywhere and anytime. The wireless router is also included in the package. It permit the users to access Internet at a given time. Today, laptops have also become an unavoidable part of one’s life. The main reason behind this increasing popularity of the laptops is that the laptops are handy, mobile, wireless and can be used for a variety of purposes.

The mobile broadband providers that are currently offering free laptop packages to the users include 3, T-Mobile, Orange etc. The free laptops available from these providers depend on the type as well as the duration of the contract. 3 is presently providing the widest range of mobile broadband with free laptop packages.

Since, there are large number of providers offering free laptop mobile broadband packages so it becomes really difficult to choose a good package. From here, it becomes very important to analyse properly while comparing free laptop mobile broadband packages offered by different providers. Now the users will also have to look upon the laptops along with the speed , data download limits and the monthly costs of the broadband service. This can be done easily by means of comparison websites. There are lots of websites which are available with comparison feature today. The users can avail all the necessary details regarding the packages offered by different providers. This can help them to decide which is the best deal for them. By doing so, they can easily find out the best Free laptop mobile broadband package for themselves.

Andrew J Peterson asked:




Mobile Broadband can be stated as the most advantageous tool of modern times. It has charted a new course and redefined the usage pattern of Internet services for the new generation. It is also superior than the earlier Dial up connection if measured in terms of connectivity and speed. The importance and dependency on high speed and efficient Internet connection for an organisation can not be mentioned in meager words. It is hard to imagine any business or financial activity flourishing without Internet. Even, government organisation, academic institutions rely largely on the facilities of Internet.

And now with soaring requirements of professional people, need of Internet on the move have become a must necessity. Free Laptops With Mobile Broadband a person from the shackles of tangled wires, which used to be attached with the Desktops. Those old version of computers were attached with home broadbands that came with a router, installed inside the home or at the work place. They were connected through a bundle of wires, which got entangled time to time and used to create problem for the user. Moreover they were the restriction for the user sticking him to only one place or allowing him/her to access Internet with in a limited space inside the house or office.

This problem has been solved by the upcoming of Laptops, when manufacturers understood the mobility needs of users. Now one can easily work, chat, check his mails and be in touch with his family, friends, colleagues and professional contacts. Moreover high speed broadband made it very easy to access Internet while travelling. This new version of Internet is superb in terms of accessibility, speed and convenience. It has converted the imagination of ‘accessing Internet on the move’ into a reality.

All mobile broadband providers have kept in consideration that buying a costly Laptop is not everyone’s cup of tea in this season of financial recession. Thus realising this scenario and also to provide their mobile broadband to every needful, all mobile broadband providers offer various gifts and offers to the customers in order to fascinate them towards their services. These broadband providers are indulged in a fair practice of giving free and often expensive gifts such as Laptops, Mobile phones, LCD TV, DVD Player etc with the connection packages.

Apart form all the other gifts, getting a brand new Laptop along with the Broadband connection has created a wave among the users. Because a Laptop is one such great gadget which seems to be the answer to any technology related query in present times. Thus, many people are going for this lucrative deal, which is proving to be in favour of both consumer and company. It contains ample of advantages, discussing them would result in a shortage of words..

Shirley Stevens asked:




If you thought that mobile broadband was something to do with surfing the web on your mobile phone, you’re very wrong. Mobile broadband allows you to have immediate web access on either your computer or laptop from wherever you are, be it at home, at the airport, on the train or halfway across the Pennine Way. Instead of the cables or wires needed for standard broadband, mobile broadband is powered by the 3G mobile network, hence the name. Simply, all you need is a subscription to a mobile service network and a plug-in USB modem – a dongle, if you prefer – and you’re away. It’s not purely by chance that the present UK mobile broadband providers are also the main mobile phone providers such as Vodafone mobile broadband, T-mobile, O2, 3 mobile broadband and Orange mobile broadband.

Is it suitable for everyone? Bear in mind though that this exciting concept is not freely available to everyone just yet, so don’t rush to cancel your current telephone or cable internet provider until you have had a closer look at it. A mobile broadband network will only work well if the mobile telephone network it runs on is efficient. For instance, disparities in speed are the norm and erratic reception, the curse of mobile phones, will also plague mobile internet connections in exactly the same way. If you use the internet a lot, mobile broadband is unlikely to be suitable for you as it would not be able to compete with the unlimited usage allowances of most hardwired broadband packages. However, if all you need is to check your email and surf sporadically, then you will find it an attractive proposition – especially if you are on the move a lot. Depending on your specific service provider, the new mobile broadband networks offer speeds ranging from 2.8Mb to as much as 7.2Mb. However, usage limits are restrictively applied throughout.

How much can you download? Current mobile broadband providers are offering download limits of between 1 – 15Gb per month, which means it would not suit anyone who has to regularly transfer large files. Equally, if you spend hours on YouTube, or listening to internet radio, or can’t resist online pirated movies, mobile broadband is unlikely to suit you – unless money is no object. For that reason, mobile broadband is unlikely to replace ADSL or cable any time soon. But, on the other hand, the mobile broadband facility is perfect for anyone who is away from home a great deal and needs frequent and ready access to their email while on the go. It would be absolutely brilliant for occasional users who have more than one home but don’t want to pay for two broadband connections. It has also become increasingly popular among students living in student houses where nobody wants to pay for a landline.

What does it cost? Mobile broadband set-up and monthly costs differ considerably from network to network. The usage allowance affects the price, but in general, the longer the contract the less it costs. You will probably find it very helpful to consult a broadband comparison site and compare all mobile broadband deals and current prices.

Watch out… As mobile broadband technology is still in the early stages of development and very likely to drop substantially in price in the future, it is advisable, say the experts, that consumers avoid extended contract periods. On the other hand, if money is no object and you are happy to pay for the many advantages of a permanently connected laptop and welcome an escape from all the wires and cables necessary for standard broadband, then go for it!

Marc Aarons asked:




So you open up your browser and hop over to Google. You type in something like:

“Who has the fastest mobile broadband?”

3 sites that look very familiar pop up saying stuff like:

“BroadbandAccess Evolution Data Optimized (EV-DO) network from Verizon Wireless has been enhanced with EV-DO Rev. A to deliver even faster data speeds and greater efficiencies. Fast downloads – typical speeds of 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps. Fast uploads – typical speeds of 500-800 Kbps.”

“With a Sprint Mobile Broadband Card, you get average download speeds of 600-1400 Kbps, peaking at 3.1 Mbps, and 350-500 Kbps average upload speeds, peaking at 1.8 Mbps. Similar to DSL, and about ten times faster than using a dial-up modem”

” AT&T offers the broadband speed and responsiveness of BroadbandConnect…the latest 3G devices provide typical download throughput of 700 kbps to 1.7 Mbps for downloads and 500 kbps to 1.2 Mbps for upload”

Ugh.

Just give it to me straight Doc. Speak English. How in the world is someone supposed to figure out who’s the fastest with this ‘can’t sue me’ lawyer-speak?

All the ranges seem to overlap. Even looking at the maximum speeds, Verizon and Sprint look identical…until, that is, you realize they are only theoretical. A best case scenario that’s not too optimistic.

It’s just like your speedometer’s range that goes from 0 mph to 120 mph. Just because 120 mph is on your dashboard doesn’t mean your rusty 16 year old Honda Civic Hatchback with the flashing engine check light is gonna make it.

The companies also know you can’t call them on it because ‘there are too many variables’. What were the road conditions like? How fast were you going? When last have you had a tune-up? What was the weather like? Do you know how many cell phone towers were in the area? How many satellites were positioned around you at the time? Or my personal favorite ‘You were most likely roaming and we have no control over other networks’.

It’s like trying to get fresh organic vegetables at McDonald’s. It’s just not gonna happen.

It just is what it is my friend.

The only way down to the nitty gritty and feast on the raw truth is to get out into the wild. Outside of my own testing, I draw on the experiences of others from ComputerWorld, Gizmodo and jkOnTheRun. I’ll give you a quick chronological recap of what happened with each:

ComputerWorld – Which 3G Network Is The Best? – 05/13/08

Location:

New York, New Jersey and Connecticut

Broadband Cards:

(AT&T) Sierra Wireless USBConnect 881, (Sprint) Novatel Wireless Ovation U727 and (Verizon) Sierra Wireless USB AirCard 595U

Result: AT&T had the highest maximum speed (1.6 Mbps), average download speed (755 Kbps) and upload speed (484 Kbps)

Gizmodo – The Definitive Coast-to-Coast 3G Data Test – 12/17/08

Location:

Austin, Boston, Chicago, New York City, Portland, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco and the Bay Area

Broadband Cards:

AT&T’s Sierra USBConnect 881, Sprint’s Sierra Wireless Compass 597 and Verizon Wireless’s Novatel USB727

Results: Sprint had the highest national average download speed (1.4 Mbps) while AT&T (640 kbps) had the highest average upload speed

jkOnTheRun – 3G SpeedTest: EV-DO vs. HSDPA in Phoenix – 12/27/08

Location: Phoenix, AZ

Broadband Cards: Verizon Wireless USB727, AT&T USB Quicksilver

Results: Verizon had the highest download speed (2.1 Mbps) and upload speed (744 Kbps)

So here we’ve got 3 different tests all showing someone else as the winner. It’s hardly surprising. Mobile broadband speeds do vary from place to place. The only way to get a clear winner is to test in multiple locations, take a couple averages and then see who comes out on top.

Since Gizmodo’s test was the most comprehensive, it’s fair to say its also the most reliable. Sprint is kicking butt in the mobile broadband game. Even if you only compare the tests Gizmodo performed in New York City alongside the tests ComputerWorld ran in NYC, Sprint still beats AT&T in download and upload speed.

Sprint is clearly the winner overall and provides serious competition in every location. If put together the fact that they’re the fastest, largest mobile broadband network, you’ve got a double whammy.

It’s no wonder that Andy Abramson of Working Anywhere recommends Sprint. He spends about $900 per month testing mobile broadband and wireless internet related services. Seems like he might know a thing or two.

To beat a dead horse even further…

I’ve personally tested it over 1001 miles of highway at 70 miles per hour (New Orleans to Jacksonville and Tampa to Atlanta). I had my connection get dropped once…for 15 minutes total. That’s solid.

Now before we all start bowing down to the awesome network that is Sprint, ComputerWorld points out some things you should know:


“Using this technology can be a bit like being on a roller coaster. I found that I could be screaming along at 1.1Mbit/sec. only to have speeds slow to a crawl at 20Kbit/sec. a moment later. That’s because, as with all cellular service, speed and reliability depend on a variety of conditions, such as how far you are from a cell tower, how many other users are connected in your vicinity and how much data they’re moving”.