Three mobile broadband enables you to stay connected at home or on the move, with the latest dongles and Mobile Wi-Fi devices.
Dongles are designed for use in laptops and are powered by USB, while battery-powered mobile Wi-Fi devices can share internet over Wi-Fi with numerous devices at the same time.
Great value mobile broadband deals are available on Three on Pay Monthly contracts and Pay As You Go plans.
What is mobile broadband?
Put simply, mobile broadband is a way to access the internet wherever you are. Mobile broadband uses mobile networks (3G, 4G or 5G networks) to send data over the air - enabling you to browse anywhere you have a mobile signal.
Mobile broadband devices tend to be battery powered, but you can also plug some in via USB. What none of them need is mains power – however you can also get 4G and 5G home broadband if you want a device that you can leave plugged in and switched on 24/7.
Currently Three offers mobile broadband devices which utilise 4G mobile networks. These allow you to send a huge amount of data over-the-air and enable you to stream video, download files and browse the internet at superfast speeds.
What are the advantages of mobile broadband?
- Access the internet anywhere
Mobile broadband works anywhere you have a mobile signal, giving you ultimate flexibility. Whereas a fixed broadband connection only works as far as your Wi-Fi connection will reach - and that is not very far!
- No need for a landline
You might be used to needing a landline for your broadband, but with mobile broadband that’s not necessary, so you can save a significant amount of money. You also don’t need a landline for 4G and 5G home broadband.
- Great value
Mobile broadband connections offer great value, with Three plans starting from just £12 a month. The fact that you do not need a landline keeps the cost significantly lower than fixed broadband connections.
How fast is Three mobile broadband?
Average 4G download speeds on Three mobile broadband are around 22.2Mbps, while upload speeds are around 8.0Mbps. That's according to data from Opensignal's Mobile Network Experience Report from October 2020, and those speeds are fast enough to stream Full HD videos on Netflix. Three’s 5G speeds are far faster still, but at the time of writing you can only get Three’s smartphone and home broadband services over 5G.
However, coverage varies significantly from place to place, so it is always best to check coverage in your area first.
What is the difference between dongles and mobile Wi-Fi (MiFi)?
A dongle plugs into the USB port on a laptop or desktop PC to provide internet over mobile broadband. Generally, they only provide internet to the device they are plugged into and are small, discreet and require no installation.
Mobile Wi-Fi (or MiFi) units are battery-powered devices that can share a single mobile connection with multiple devices over Wi-Fi. That means you can use them wirelessly and connect almost any internet enabled device. It also means you can share a single 3G, 4G or 5G connection with multiple Wi-Fi devices at the same time, including your tablet, desktop PC or games console.
Why choose Three mobile broadband?
There are several reasons to choose Three mobile broadband:
- Go Roam - Use your Three mobile broadband abroad in 71 Go Roam destinations at no extra cost.
- 4G and 5G at no extra cost - Enjoy superfast speeds on all Three Pay Monthly, SIM Only and PAYG mobile broadband plans. But note that 5G isn’t supported by Three’s current mobile broadband devices.
- Unlimited data – plans are available with unlimited data, so you can don’t need to worry about running out.
What is the difference between 3G, 4G and 5G mobile broadband?
The difference between 3G, 4G and 5G mobile broadband mostly comes down to speed, with 4G being up to five times faster than standard 3G, and 5G being far faster still.
At the time of writing, Three offers 4G mobile broadband devices, and these will be more than fast enough for most users. With 4G you can stream Full HD videos, load sites in an instant, play online games smoothly, have video calls, and more. Three’s 4G mobile broadband devices are competitively priced too, and offer impressive specs.
Does Three offer unlimited mobile broadband?
Unlimited mobile broadband is now available on Three and can be paired with the Huawei 4G Plus MiFi.
Can I get a mobile broadband SIM Card on its own?
Absolutely, Three offers a range of SIM Only plans for mobile broadband devices. They are known as data only SIMs and come bundled with an included data allowance per month, topping out at unlimited data. Simply pop one into your existing dongle or MiFi device and away you go!
