Mobile broadband, or mobile internet, is used to describe various types of wireless high-speed internet access through a laptop, portable modem, telephone or other device.

To meet the demand for increased Internet access, speed, and flexibility, more cell phone companies are offering wireless broadband technologies. Laptop users often prefer mobile broadband so they can access the internet independent of other hardware available, such as wires or WIFI hotspots in the area.  By tapping into already-present cell phone networks with the use of special hardware, a computer can access the Internet anywhere a cell phone signal is available.

There are four basic options for connecting to a mobile broadband network:

• 3G cell phone
• PDA, or (aka) Smartphone
• Laptop computer with a PC card
• Laptop computer using a cell phone as a modem

Mobile broadband is powered by the same technology that makes cell phones work.  When you hear the term mobile broadband, or any mobile devices like a phone, being referred to as “3G” it’s in reference to third-generation cell-phone technology.

Mobile broadband devices and cards also use the same networks as cell phones.  Mobile broadband subscribers purchase a card that plugs into a special slot on the laptop. (Desktop computers often require an external adapter to use mobile broadband cards). When the card is activated, it dials a cell number to connect to the server. Wherever a signal is available, you can connect. Some people are able to connect on moving trains (though the connection can be spotty) ships within range of the network, and other areas.

When this technology was first introduced, the speed to access the Internet was comparable to dial-up service. However, cellular companies have upgraded their signal towers to support faster speeds with the use of wireless technology known as Evolution-Data Optimized, or EV-DO. The EV-DO wireless standard offers speeds averaging 300-400 Kbps, (maximum speeds up to 2.4 Mbit/s) and is integrated into most modern cell phones and smart phones. EV-DO speeds allow users to browse the web, download files, and enjoy an Internet experience that is equivalent to a hardwired broadband service, such as DSL. There are, of course, limitations with this technology related to signal strength. As a cell phone or EV-DO wireless card gets further from a cell tower, the signal strength drops and the speed at which data can be transmitted is compromised.

To access all of these broadband services, you need to be within coverage range of the network. Right now, that's confined to the nation's largest cities. If you're outside of that coverage area, you may still access some basic data services like e-mail, text messaging and Web browsing, but at speeds as low as 50kbps - similar to dialup.  And, if you’re far enough away, you may have no access at all!

How to Select a Plan

What you pay to access these mobile broadband networks depends on what device you're going to use.  For example, a PDA user usually doesn’t transfer as much data as a laptop user.

Cellular providers offer several different mobile broadband payment plans. There's usually an option for unlimited monthly access, which is the most expensive plan. Another option is to pick a plan that allows for a maximum amount of data transfer a month.  Most popular are deals with Sprint, or Verizon, who have an option for laptop users to pay $59/month for 5GB of data transfer per month over their network.  To give you an idea of what that means, Verizon says you could send 1,747,627 e-mails a month before reaching 5GB, or look up nearly 35,000 Web pages.

You can also get mobile broadband services as a package with your cell phone plan.  You pay extra for these packages on top of your regular calling plan. Or you can sign up for an all-inclusive plan that gives you a certain amount of anytime minutes per month, plus unlimited mobile broadband usage. With a PDA or smartphone, you can choose from unlimited or maximum data usage plus a voice-calling plan.

If you don't want to sign up for a monthly plan, you can also pay by the kilobyte of data transfer. Sprint, for example, charges three cents a kilobyte for mobile broadband access without a monthly plan.

If you're going to use a cell phone for mobile broadband access, you might also need to buy a new phone. There are only a limited number of phones that will work with each cellular provider services.

Below is a list of all mobile broadband carriers: