What Is A Broadband Dongle?

Do you want to quickly access broadband on the go? A mobile internet dongle could be the answer.

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Here&#;s everything you need to know about how this small piece of equipment can make a huge difference to your internet connectivity.

What does a mobile internet dongle do?

Otherwise known as a wi-fi dongle, wi-fi stick, internet stick or USB network adaptor, a dongle is a small modem that allows you to access 3G, 4G or 5G data (depending on your dongle plan) by plugging it into a USB port on the device you&#;re using.

Dongles are ideal when using your laptop in airports, cafes, or even taxis, where internet access isn&#;t always guaranteed. They can also come in handy when travelling or staying somewhere new. If you live in a big property, a dongle can be used in areas wi-fi can&#;t reach, although it won&#;t provide the best connection for data-heavy activities such as streaming, unless a speedier 5G network is accessible.

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1

Virgin Media

Average download speed (Mbps)

397

Average monthly cost (£)

36.67

Complaints per 100k subscribers (Ofcom)

60

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Virgin Media

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2

Sky

Average download speed (Mbps)

325

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40

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21

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BT

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50

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How does a dongle work?

The convenience of the dongle also extends to its setup. Mobile providers offer dongles with a data plan. Plug it into a computer or laptop and within seconds it will have access to your provider&#;s mobile data network.

What are the pros and cons of a dongle?

While dongles have their benefits, they are not always the most suitable option for connecting to the internet.

The pros:

• simple to set up yourself without the need for a professional installer
• gives you the flexibility to connect to the internet quickly when out and about
• you can travel with it, and sometimes use it abroad with the right data plan
• compact and runs off your device&#;s battery
• if you don&#;t have access to fast fibre broadband at home or it&#;s gone down, it can offer faster speeds than other fixed line options, if a 5G connection is available in your area
• ideal if you only need broadband for a few months as you can often use it on a short-term data plan or pay-as-you-go basis.

The cons:

• you can only connect to the internet where 3G, 4G or 5G data is available, but you can check if an area has a connection on Ofgem&#;s website
• 5G, the fastest mobile data, is yet to be available everywhere in the country.
• slower than most fixed line broadband connections so isn&#;t the best substitute if you&#;re planning on using it at home or when staying elsewhere.
• can only connect to one device at a time and that device must have a USB port.

Where can I get a dongle?

Mobile network providers typically provide dongles free with a data plan. Some plans will also include the option to use the dongle abroad.

Remember to opt for a truly unlimited deal if you want to avoid restricted data usage per month. You&#;ll need to check your provider offers a 5G data connection in your area if you want the fastest mobile broadband speeds.

These companies currently offer 5G data:

• BT
• EE
• GiffGaff
• O2
• Sky
• Tesco Mobile
• Three
• Virgin Mobile
• Vodafone
• VOXI

What are the alternatives to a dongle?

Depending on what you use broadband for and when you use it, you may want to consider one of the following for connecting to the internet instead:

Mi-fi

Mi-fis (also known as personal wi-fi devices) are sometimes confused with dongles but in fact, double up as routers and modems in that they have the ability to connect several devices to a data network at once.

But do bear in mind, using multiple devices can quickly gobble away at your data if you are not on a truly unlimited plan.As with a dongle, you have the flexibility to use it on a short-term contract.

SIM card

You can purchase SIM cards with a data plan that can be inserted into compatible tablets, laptops and equipment such as mi-fis.

Wi-fi hotspot

You may have noticed a wi-fi hotspot option in your smartphone&#;s settings. This can effectively turn your mobile into a router that can allow other devices to access its data connection. It will, however, drain your data quicker than using it directly through your .

Mobile home broadband

Home broadband that connects to a mobile data network doesn&#;t require a landline.

All you need to do is plug the &#;hub&#; device provided by the mobile network into a socket, and after a fuss-free set-up your devices will be connected either to a 4G or 5G network, depending on your provider and the area in which you live.

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How does a Wi-Fi dongle connect to the internet?

As we have briefly explained above, a Wi-Fi dongle, also known as a mobile internet dongle, generally needs to be plugged into a laptop or device via a USB port. What does a Wi-Fi dongle do? It connects to the internet through its built-in network adapter, granting direct access to a cellular network. Once connected, you&#;ll be able to access the internet without the need to use traditional broadband or standard Wi-Fi networks.

Compared to fibre optic broadband, a Wi-Fi dongle will generally come up short in terms of connection speed and stability. However, since it is not trying to compete with normal broadband, instead primarily offering internet access while on the move, this might not be a concern.

With that said, the introduction of 5G mobile broadband means that Wi-Fi dongles are becoming serious contenders. The only factor that could cause an issue is that the 5G rollout has yet to reach every part of the country. It is currently available mostly in urban areas like major cities and certain towns.

Much like broadband speed, &#;the speed of a Wi-Fi dongle connection can vary depending on several factors. These include the specific cellular network (3G, 4G, or 5G) to which the dongle connects and the coverage strength in the given area. Factors such as network congestion and signal strength also contribute to the overall speed you&#;ll experience.

To find the answers to any other questions you might have regarding Wi-Fi, dongles, broadband, and more, we&#;ve put together a broadband resource to provide all the tips and advice you could ever possibly need.

Please note, Hyperoptic don&#;t currently provide Wi-Fi dongles as standard. If you have any concerns about your broadband connection, please get in touch.

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