Broadband ISP Technology

Internet access terminology can be very confusing, especially if you’re trying to choose a new ISP. Each technology has its differences and some may be better at certain tasks than others, consequently it is important for consumers to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each prior to choosing a provider. This page seeks to explain the methods using simple language and is best used in conjunction with our 'Jargon Buster' section.

Connection Technologies

Mobile Broadband

This represents wireless data communication technologies that utilise mobile phone radio spectrum / cell networks to deliver Internet access almost anywhere thanks to wide area coverage. The service can usually be accessed through a mobile phone, although many modern data-only packages will deliver it through a USB Modem / Dongle (pictured on the right) or PCMCIA data card.

Speeds range from 3G's 384Kbps (Kilobits per second) to 3.5G's (High Speed Packet Access - HSPA) 14Mbps+ (Megabits per second) downstream and could go much faster in the future. To better explain this we've listed the approximate best possible theoretical download speeds (at the time of writing) based on common mobile standards (oldest first):

Mobile Data Communications Standards and Speeds:
Basic GSM (2G) – 14.4Kbps
GPRS (2.5G) - 48Kbps
EDGE (2.75G) - 236Kbps
UMTS (3G) - 384Kbps [64Kbps upstream]
HSPA (3.5G/3G+) –- 14.4Mbps [5.8Mbps upstream]
HSPA+ (3.5G/3G+) –- 42Mbps [22Mbps upstream]
LTE (Super 3G/3.9G/4G) - 100Mbps to 360Mbps (possibly 1Gbps via Advanced LTE - True 4G - in the future) [80Mbps upstream]

G = Generation of mobile technology (e.g. 2nd Gen = 2G).

Such packages are usually restrictive, limiting access to specific services (MSN, VoIP etc.) and imposing harsh data usage caps. However recent moves have seen prices coming down to almost fixed-line broadband levels along with increasingly flexible usage policies.

Technology Advantages

- Cheap hardware and services.
- Good usage allowances.
- Good coverage, excellent for roaming (inside the UK only).
- Easy to setup.

Technology Disadvantages

- Slow upload speeds and unreliable to slow download speeds
- Slow or unstable latency (bad for games, VoIP etc.).
- Some operators block VoIP and or other services.
- Stability (disconnections are not uncommon, especially when roaming).

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