So you’re convinced you want to purchase wireless broadband but you’re wanting to find the cheapest mobile broadband deal? This article will help you identify key considerations in choosing the best and cheapest mobile broadband plan.

Key things to consider in identifying the cheapest mobile broadband plan

Availability

First and foremost, check that you have wireless coverage available in your area. If you live in a metropolitan area you are likely to have access to wireless internet from one of the wireless internet providers, though some regional areas can have coverage problems.

Download Limit

Every wireless broadband plan will have a monthly download usage allowance. Any excess usage beyond this download limit is typically charged at an excess megabyte rate, which differs with every provider.

How to calculate your cost per megabyte:

Your cost per megabyte is the easiest way to compare mobile plans. Cost per mb is the price you pay to download 1 mb of data. The download limit included in your plan will help you determine how many mb you can download.

Use this simple formula:

Monthly Plan Cost / Monthly Data Allowance (in MB) = $ Cost Per Megabyte (MB)

Example calculation:

$39 per month / 2gb (= 1024mb x 2 = 2048mb) monthly download limit = $0.019c per megabyte.

Performing this calculation across the available data plans will give you a good indication on the value of the plan.

Speed

With any wireless internet connection, you need to consider download speeds. Speeds can vary between wireless internet providers and so can reliability of the connection. A connection speed of 3.6mb is a good speed to aim for.

Setup Price

Wireless internet plans typically have a setup cost. This usually consists of a connection fee and the cost of the modem. Each provider usually has their own unique modem, so it’s usually not an investment you can avoid.

Contract Length

24 month contracts are typical for wireless internet plans. There are other deals available but usually 24 month contracts provide you with the best rate.

Using the above criteria you will be able to identify the cheapest mobile broadband plan for you.

We recommend 3 Mobile and their current mobile broadband offer:

6GB for $49 per month over 24 months