3 Mobile broadband Dongle Review

  • September 20, 2009

With a tiny USB device called dongle, you can access mobile broadband internet on your laptop. Neither landline nor a wi-fi hotspot is needed to get you online. Just insert a dongle into the USB slot in your laptop or netbook, you are instantly connected to the web.

3 Mobile broadband coverage

3 Mobile UK offers mobile broadband service in the UK and has 90% 3G mobile broadband (HSDPA) UK coverage. The mobile ISP claims most people on their 3G network can get a downstream speed between 0.6 Mbps and 1.6 Mbps. The enhanced mobile broadband networks of 3 can theoretically offer up to 7.2Mbps, expected to be launched next month.

3 Mobile UK HSDPA coverage

3 Mobile UK HSDPA coverage 2009

With mobile broadband USB dongle, your location could be crucial in getting nice speeds. Hence, it is a good idea to check the coverage map of 3 mobile broadband provider to find out whether you are on their HSDPA network. You may also experience slow speeds if you live in their ‘marginal regions’ where signal strength could be very low.

3 Mobile USB dongle modem is infact Huawei E160 high-speed modem customized by 3 mobile ISP. After installation, the software that comes with your mobile broadband lets you to know information like usage, signal strength and text messaging etc.

What do you get in a mobile broadband kit?

3 Mobile offers a full range of mobile broadband deals including pay monthly offers and pre-pay or PAYG broadband plans. Just choose a 3 mobile broadband deal after comparing the broadband features like speed, monthly data usage allowance, cost etc.

3 mobile broadband dongle

After sign-up you will get USB dongle, SIM card, USB cable, user guide and warranty card. The dongle has built-in software to get it installed on your PC laptop even on your MAC (if you are a MAC user), so you would not need any installation CD.

How to install 3 Mobile broadband dongle?

  • The SIM card needs to be placed on the SIM card slot inside the dongle. The SIM card contains all account information and enables the connection between you and broadband internet.
  • There are two options when you connect the dongle to your laptop. Either you can plug it directly into the USB slot or use the USB cable between dongle and laptop.
  • If you work indoors, and the room structures prevent you from getting good speeds, try to connect dongle using the USB cable and place the dongle in a a place free from interferences, e.g. near the window.
  • After the dongle is properly plugged, the installation would take place as soon as the dongle is detected by your laptop. Setup is automatic and you would just need to check out a series of windows and after that you will be online.

3 Mobile USB dongle speeds

Three Mobile mobile broadband offers download speed from 3.6 Mbps standard to the 7.2 Mbps to their mobile broadband customers.

Maximum speeds that you get via your mobile dongle depends on your location (or signal strength), the broadband package you have chosen, mobile broadband traffic for the given time etc.

Other factors like weather and environment can also affect the mobile broadband speeds.