Mobile operator Three (3) has cut the price of its pay-as-you-go (payg) Mobile Broadband USB Modems (Dongles) to just £29.35 from £48.93. There's a choice of three models (ZTE MF627 USB Modem, 3 USB E160G Stick Modem White, 3 USB E156G Stick Modem Black), each of which has space for a 4GB MicroSD storage card.

The modems themselves do not come with a Mobile Broadband usage allowance; these must be purchased separately as add-on's. 1GB of usage costs £10, 3GB costs £15 and 7GB costs £25. Typically usage on add-on's expires after 30 days, so if you don't use it you will lose it.

Elsewhere Three (3) are also offering a monthly Mobile Broadband service for £15 per month that includes 15GB of usage, which is cheaper than a number of comparable fixed land line broadband ISPs and includes a free USB Modem. However there is a 24 month contract involved, although at that price it might just be worth the risk.

One word of warning though, never exceed your usage quota even by a small amount. Keep a close eye on how much balance you have left and always buy an extra add-on if required but don't go over the limit! With the exception of T-Mobile, excessive use charges are ridiculously high.