Three mobile broadband enables you to stay connected at homeor 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 theinternetwherever 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 enableyou to stream video, download files and browse the internet at superfast speeds.
What is MiFi (Mobile WiFi)?
Mobile Wi-Fi (sometimes called mobile broadband or MiFi) refers to portable, pocket-sized devices that can broadcast a broadband connection using 3G or 4G, allowing you to connect other devices such as laptops and tablets to the internet, even if there’s no fixed broadband ora power supply available.
Much like a phone or a tablet, mobile Wi-Fi devices can be bought outright or on a Pay Monthly contract.
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 £12a 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.
Why choose Three mobile broadband?
There are several reasons to choose Three mobile broadband:
- 4G and 5G at no extra cost - all plans come with 4G and 5G at no extra cost, but if you don’t have a 5G device or aren’t in a 5G area you can still make use of Three's superfast 3G and 4G networks.
- Award winning – Three has won a number of awards, including being voted the Best Network for Data at the Uswitch Awards 2021 and the best network for roaming in 2020.
- Unlimited data - Three offers mobile broadband plans with unlimited data, so you can browse and stream as much as you want.
Does Three offer unlimited mobile broadband?
Unlimited mobile broadbandis now available on Three and can be paired with the Three 4G MiFi.
What MiFi dongles are available?
At the time of writing, Three offers just one MiFi device, but it’s a good one. Dubbed the Huawei 4G+ MiFi, it supports download speeds of up to 300Mbps, can get up to 16 devices online at once, and has a sleek design and good battery life.
| Device | Key Features |
|---|---|
Three 4G MiFi | 4G Mobile Broadband Battery-powered Speeds up to 300Mbps Connect up to 16devices |
.png "Mobile Broadband - 3g (1)")
If you don't need internet anywhere, there is the option of Home Broadband which requires mains power as opposed to Mobile Broadband which works via battery power. Our Three 5G Hub review found it to be a very fast performer and our recommended choice for anyone needing Home Broadband.
What is a Pay Monthly MiFi contract?
A Pay Monthly mobile Wi-Fi contract is similar to a phone contract in that it incurs a fixed monthly fee for a set period of time (1, 12 or 24 months). For that money you get not just the mobile Wi-Fi device but also a monthly data allowance.
The advantage of taking out a pay monthly contract is that you don't have to pay as much upfront for your MiFi device, or in many cases anything at all, which can make it a lot more affordable if you don’t have a lot of money to spare.
All contracts come with an inclusive data allowance to use each month and they are taken out over a choice of 24 months, 12 months or just 30 days, after which you are free to switch to a SIM Only deal or Pay As You Go.
If you don’t already have a mobile broadband device than a Pay Monthly contract is often the best option.
