What is prepaid mobile broadband?

Like prepaid mobile phones, pay as you go mobile broadband represents a means of obtaining mobile broadband without tying yourself down to a long-term contract.

Prepaid mobile broadband is also known as pay as you go mobile broadband. The two terms are used interchangeably and mean that you pay for your mobile broadband before you use it!

Compare pay as you go mobile broadband deals now pay as you go mobile broadband

However, where there is a great deal of competition and a huge range of packages to choose from in prepaid mobile phones, the pay as you go mobile broadband market is less mature and therefore less competitive.

However, it is becoming more and more so by the month. You can now get prepaid mobile broadband deals from all six major UK mobile broadband providers. Options available include one-month deals that give you a set a amount of usage for the period, as well as more traditional pay as you go offers. With the latter, you simply pay a one-off charge for a dongle and can then add credit as and when you need it.

Postpay mobile broadband versus pay as you go mobile broadband

Pay as you go mobile broadband

• No long-term contracts to tie you down
• You can shop around to find the best provider for you
• Mobile broadband dongles incur a one-off charge

Contract mobile broadband

• Cheaper packages
• Mobile broadband dongles are free on some packages
• Mobile broadband USB sticks are free on some packages
• Greater variety: you have more payment and usage options to to choose from
• 3 mobile broadband
• Vodafone mobile broadband
• T-Mobile mobile broadband
• Orange mobile broadband
• O2 mobile broadband
• Virgin Media mobile broadband

At present, the prepaid mobile broadband might not be quite as attractive as contract deals. But Top 10 Broadband expects it to take-off in a similar way that prepaid mobile phones did in the late 90s in years to come.

Compare mobile broadband deals here.