Dongles Enable Mobile Broadband Access
If you’ve heard about mobile broadband but you’re not quite sure how it works, you need to familiarize yourself with the dongle. Dongles are broadband USB modems that allow you to access mobile Internet connections. They are small devices that resemble memory sticks, and they plug into your laptop or PC’s USB plug.
Although they are wireless, you don’t need to access a WiFi hotspot for dongles to work. They rely on mobile broadband networks that make Internet access much more widely available, similar to mobile telephone Internet technology. Dongles are specially designed to work with computers, however, so you aren’t limited to smaller or incomplete versions of webpages as you are with phones.
One advantage of mobile broadband is the flexibility the wireless dongle provides. You can plug your dongle into any computer with a USB plug and have instant access to your mobile broadband service, provided you’re in range of the network.
There are many companies that provide mobile broadband service via dongles, including Vodafone, O2, 3 Mobile and Orange mobile broadband. Each company offers a variety of mobile service packages and contracts. Nearly all contracts include a free dongle that allows instant access to mobile broadband.
If you opt for pay-as-you-go mobile broadband service, you will have to purchase your service provider’s dongle. After making this one time purchase (consider it a set up fee), you can then top up your service as needed.
Dongles don’t require cables to operate, and they install instantly on your computer. Most broadband providers ship dongles immediately upon placement of your service order, so you don’t have to wait to start enjoying mobile broadband service.