Mobile Broadband vs. Wireless Broadband

There are now so many options for internet access that it can be confusing when you are asked to make a choice between possibilities that sound similar. The difference between wireless broadband and mobile broadband lies mainly in accessibility, and when deciding on the type of broadband plan that you need, it is important to take into account how much flexibility you really need.

Mobile and wireless broadband technologies

Wireless broadband, the provision of broadband internet without being attached to cables, has been a great leap forward technologically. It allows you to access the internet in a variety of locations around your home, which may be of use if you work from home and need flexibility, or simply if you spend a lot of time on the net.

The difference between simple wireless broadband and mobile broadband is in where you can access the net; mobile allows you to pick up the internet in any location that is reached by your provider's transmitter. It originated in remote areas where cable access was impossible, and works much like mobile phone technology. It also has similar advantages and disadvantages.

It should be noted that the term mobile broadband applies to cable or wireless. Mobile simply means that it can be accessed in a variety of locations and you pay your provider for the privilege. Increasingly, though, wireless mobile is assumed.

Choosing mobile or wireless broadband

There are several practical considerations which will make your decision easier:

• An important consideration when choosing your broadband type is cost. Home, cable based broadband is still cheaper than mobile wireless connections. If you are paying more, you will need to use it enough to justify the cost
• Access is another issue. Think about how irritating those 'black spots' and drop outs are when you're trying to have a conversation on a mobile phone. Now apply that to your internet connection. Mobile broadband does not have coverage everywhere, and is probably best suited to urban business applications
• Wireless broadband can easily be accessed at home with the right type of modem (many laptops have built - in wireless modems) or card, but you'll need a special plan with your provider to access mobile broadband
• Speed is a huge issue. In Australia, you will find that your broadband speed has dropped from up to 30Mbps to 1.5Mbps - a twenty-fold, and very noticeable, difference

The decision simply comes down to weighing the convenience of accessing the internet at a variety of locations versus the extra cost, instability and slowness of the connection. You can have the convenience of wireless in your home easily, but adding mobile wireless comes at a cost.

Mobile or wireless Broadband?

The decision really comes down to need and practicalities. If you genuinely will have the need for mobile, then it is worth losing speed and stability of the connection. If, though, you are just a home user or work from one location, the need for mobility will be unlikely to outweigh the disadvantages and irritations of loss of signal, lack of speed and extra cost associated with mobile broadband.