Mobile broadband for business users

Mobile broadband is a true convenience for all users, but business users in particular can definitely breathe a sigh of relief with the emergence - and stability - of mobile broadband. It's important for business people to stay in touch and maintain productivity whilst in transit, away from their workplace. Allowing access to files, emails and other data, regardless of location, mobile broadband (and the emergence of 3G) is a godsend.

How to access mobile broadband

In Australia, the main type of mobile broadband technology is High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and many of the major manufacturers now supply laptops with built-in capabilities for HSDPA.

Accessing mobile broadband is simple, thanks to 3G technology. Your Internet service provider (ISP) will probably provide you with a USB key, or "dongle", which slots into your USB port. This device will literally have you online in moments. Some USB keys are roughly the size of a small mobile phone, others are no bigger than a USB flash drive - tiny - making mobile broadband truly transportable.

Other options for accessing mobile broadband include:

• A PC Card
• Express Card
• Built-in broadband adaptors

The Express Card is actually smaller than the current PC Card and therefore can slide snugly into the side of a laptop. The device is a lot more common now on the newer laptops and the word is that it will replace the PC Cards down the track.

The advantage of mobile broadband for business users

The biggest advantage of using mobile broadband for a business is the convenience. Regardless of where you are you can have instant access to your business information and are able to tap into the daily activities in the office while you are away, thus keeping you in the loop with all your business's transactions. Most popular for those that truly need constant Internet communication access is a "smart phone" (a mobile phone with very powerful applications and Internet access), such as the sleek iPhone or any of BlackBerry's highly functional range.

Most of the major carriers now offer wireless network plans that have been specifically geared towards business people who spend a lot of time out of the office. Mobile broadband plans are flexible and can suit small or large businesses.

Look at what's available in wireless broadband plans for businesses and compare prices and data usage before making a decision but for businesses, wireless mobile broadband is definitely a great idea. To really access the mobile web in style, most business people would swear by smart phones to make the Internet truly portable.