Mobile Broadband

The mobile phone networks have all recently been moving in to the 'mobile broadband' game - offering USB modems that just plug in to your laptop and supposedly give broadband-speed internet wherever you are, via 3G. Having used a 3G phone as a bluetooth modem on a laptop before, I've not been convinced of their usefulness - as my previous experience has been frankly rubbish.

We were offered a test-run of the Three mobile broadband, so gave it a whirl and it's a completely different kettle of fish. My main uncertainty - connection speed - has been totally blown out the water. Very little difference in use to our office broadband connection.

It's not something we use often - but is very useful now and again, whether it's in getting a broadband connection at a client's premises, or just working on a train, in the car, etc. We've signed up for a batch of them for all David Andrews staff. So far, basic web-browsing and e-mail is a total breeze. We've even managed some pretty heavy FTP usage and SQL Server administration - all via laptop, connected to the web just by the little white modem plugged in to the USB. Really useful especially for a business like ours, where we try and build in as much freedom and flexibility to work hours/location, etc as possible.

If you're thinking of signing up for a mobile broadband plan, we can vouch for it being pretty much as good as a home PC fixed-line broadband connection. A few mobile networks are offering it, but the one we've tested and are using is here: