Mobile Broadband Deals

Compare mobile broadband

If you need an internet connection on the move, compare our deals on mobile broadband.

Key points

• Rather than wires or cables, mobile broadband uses the same radio signals as your mobile phone - the 4G or 5G networks
• You can access it in three main ways: a SIM card in your router, a USB dongle or a mobile hotspot (which could be your phone)
• Mobile broadband deals are more likely to be low-commitment than regular broadband packages.

What is mobile broadband and how does it work?

Mobile broadband is an internet connection delivered via a mobile phone network rather than through cables. This can work in a number of different ways:

• MiFi: A device that delivers broadband from a portable Wi-Fi hotspot
• USB dongle: A USB stick that plugs into a single device to allow you to get online
• Mobile home broadband: Similar to traditional home broadband, with a router that has an inbuilt data SIM card
• Mobile Wi-Fi hotspots: Using your mobile phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot, which is useful when you’re out and about but not a good long-term solution

Is mobile broadband right for me?

Mobile broadband is a good option if you’re not planning to stay in the same place for long - for example, if you’re a student or you’re running a mobile business.

There’s no physical connection to the fibre or cable broadband network, which means:

• No engineer visits
• No set-up delays
• More options for low-commitment contracts (although it’s possible to get no contract broadband with a wired connection too)

But there are some disadvantages to mobile broadband:

• It only works with a good mobile signal, otherwise it can be unreliable
• The cost per month is usually higher than with a wired connection. But that’s not always the case, so do take a minute or two to compare the options
• You won’t get the absolute top speeds that would be possible with a full fibre connection
• The trade-off for a short-term contract (or no contract) could be higher upfront costs

Who is mobile broadband best for?

Mobile broadband is ideal for renters and students, who are looking for a short-term broadband solution without having to commit to a lengthy contract or rely on an engineer to fit a connection. It can also be a great option for rural residents, who aren’t able to get full fibre broadband where they live. And it’s a popular choice for frequent travelers, who need a fast, flexible and portable internet connection without engineer installations.

Mobile broadband can be an excellent alternative to slow fixed-line broadband with long-term contracts. It can deliver a fast and stable connection for multiple devices at home or on-the-go via 4G or 5G portable hotspots.

Is mobile broadband available in my area?

According to Ofcom, 96% of the UK has access to mobile broadband and this extends to over 99% of UK premises. So it’s very likely that you’ll be able to get mobile broadband where you live. Having said that, faster 5G speeds are less widely available, with Ofcom estimating 5G UK coverage to be between 64% and 89%.^[2]

You’re more likely to get 5G in large cities, such as London, Manchester, Glasgow, Cardiff and Southampton. But if you live in a rural area that hasn’t got full fibre yet, you might be able to get faster broadband by opting for a mobile broadband connection instead.

Mobile broadband uses the same signals as mobile phones, which means that traffic on the network has to be carefully managed. If there are a lot of mobile phone users in an area taking up bandwidth on the 4G and 5G networks, it may not be possible to get a reliable mobile home broadband service in that area.

Which broadband providers offer mobile broadband?

A number of UK providers offer mobile home broadband, including:

• Three: Offers a range of 5G and 4G plans for home broadband and MiFi. You can compare Three mobile broadband deals using our table at the top of this page
• Quickline: A rural broadband specialist, with unlimited 5G plans that you can compare using the table above
• EE: 4G and high-speed 5G packages available with the capability to connect up to 100 devices
• O2: Dongles and portable routers available to get 4G or 5G coverage on the go
• Vodafone: Mobile hotspots, data-only SIMs and home broadband available with 4G and 5G plans

Mobile broadband at home

With mobile home broadband, you’re not connected to any wired network, but it’s similar in many ways:

• The router needs to plug into the wall for power
• It will be bigger than a portable hotspot
• It comes with a Wi-Fi password
• You can connect all your smart devices

It’s less portable than the MiFi type of mobile broadband, so it’s not designed to be thrown in your bag for working on the train. But the trade-off is:

• Higher speeds compared to portable broadband
• More reliable coverage than the portable kind

It’s still a much more flexible option than regular home broadband because you can take it with you when you move house without having to contact your provider to arrange a switch to your new address. There’s a bigger choice of flexible and short contracts, too.

What hardware do I need for mobile broadband?

For portable broadband you’ll need either:

• A 4G or 5G mobile hotspot; or
• A Wi-Fi dongle (usually a USB stick that plugs into your computer)

For mobile home broadband, you’ll need:

• A router (sometimes called a hub) on the 4G or 5G network
• Possibly a Wi-Fi booster to make sure the signal reaches every part of your house

To use your phone as a mobile broadband hotspot, you don’t need any particular hardware but you will need a generous data plan and good battery life.

Can I use any SIM for mobile broadband?

Yes, you can use most phone SIMs for mobile broadband by putting them in a router or dongle. There is usually no difference in performance between a phone SIM and a dedicated data-only SIM.

Having said this, make sure you check your carrier's terms of service, as some may prohibit using a phone SIM in a router. Or if you use a phone-only SIM for heavy data consumption, it could breach your network’s fair usage policy, even if you get unlimited data.

If you want to use mobile broadband regularly, we’d recommend opting for a data-only SIM that’s designed to be used for mobile broadband.

What’s the difference between 4G & 5G?

The main difference is that 5G is up to 100 times faster than 4G. But 4G is more widely available. According to Ofcom, the UK has 96% 4G coverage, while 5G coverage is between 64% and 89%.^[2]

4G is older and slower than 5G, with typical download speeds of 20 Mbps, according to 4G.co.uk. But in areas with no 5G coverage, it’s the network to fall back on.^[3]

Meanwhile, real-world download speeds for 5G average around 80-240 Mbps. But networks claim peak speeds of 1 Gbps or more are already possible. And with the 5G network continuing to expand, it’s likely you’ll be able to enjoy these faster speeds. But rural areas are less likely to have coverage.

What’s the fastest mobile broadband available?

According to data from SpeedTest, Three is currently the fastest 5G network in the UK, offering median download speeds of 227.77 Mbps and median upload speeds of 13.07 Mbps. At the time of writing, our fastest mobile broadband deal on Three comes with 150 Mbps on its 5G network.^[8]

Remember, speeds available to you depend on where you are. Use our postcode checker to see what your options are.

Is it possible to get 5G MiFi plans?

The big four providers in the UK offer portable broadband plans on the 5G network:

• EE
• O2
• Three
• Vodafone

The MiFi name is a trademark of Three in the UK, but the company doesn’t have copyright on the technology itself. It’s just another name for the technology powering portable broadband hotspots.

Our friends at Tech Radar have compared the best mobile hotspots and explained which providers offer them.

Can I get unlimited data with mobile broadband?

Yes, there are lots of deals offering unlimited data for mobile broadband, available from several providers, including EE, Three, Vodafone, O2 and Quickline. You can get unlimited data with mobile broadband with a data-only SIM, a dongle, a hotspot or a router.

How to find the best mobile broadband deals?

To find the best mobile broadband deals, use a price comparison site like ours to compare prices and speeds from different networks. All you need to do is follow these simple steps:

1. Head to the top of this page and enter your postcode and current provider
2. Use our filters to choose the speeds, provider and contract length you want
3. Look through our deals and click to buy one you like

Your choices depend on where you are - there’s no point paying more for a 5G plan if you’re in a rural area with no coverage. Put your postcode into our address finder to see what we can offer in your area.

Go.Compare won’t show you every single offer on the market - just those from our trusted partners.

What other broadband packages are available?

If mobile broadband isn’t right for you, here are some excellent alternatives for you:

• Broadband only: This covers your broadband without giving you anything extra
• Broadband and TV: You’ll get your broadband packaged with TV channels and streaming services of your choice
• Broadband and flexible TV: You get the same broadband service for the duration of your contract but you can switch up your TV channels and subscriptions
• Broadband with a landline: These deals come with a bundle of calls for your home phone
• No contract broadband: This is ideal if you’re not going to be staying at the same address for a long time

FAQs

What is a Wi-Fi dongle, and how does it work?

A Wi-Fi dongle, also known as a USB wireless adapter, is a portable device that provides internet access to the device it’s plugged into. As the name suggests, it plugs into a USB port, allowing devices to connect to 4G/5G mobile networks or local Wi-Fi networks without the use of cables. It’s ideal if you need to work on the go from your laptop without reliable internet.

Are MiFi routers faster than standard broadband?

Not usually, but it’s a bit more complicated than that. According to the latest data from SpeedTest, the fastest 5G broadband in the UK was Three, with median download speeds of 227.77 Mbps. But small portable hotspots (sometimes called MiFi, although that’s a Three trademark) tend to deliver slower speeds than the kind of mobile broadband where the router lives in your home.^[8]

None of the available types of mobile broadband can compete with the highest possible speeds of full fibre, especially as gigabit-capable networks expand. In terms of potential speed, fixed broadband is the clear winner. There are some situations where MiFi wins out, though - for example, if your home is in an area with great 5G coverage but the fixed network hasn’t been upgraded to fibre yet.

The actual speed you get from your hotspot will vary depending on the provider, the tech and whether you’re on the 5G network. The more you move around with it, the more variability you’ll see in the speeds available.

There are many good reasons for choosing MiFi, but speed isn’t one of them. Before you make a decision, think about what broadband speed you actually need.

Is Mi-Fi different from Wi-Fi?

Standard home Wi-Fi works by taking signals from a fixed line (whether that’s fibre, cable or telephone wires) and converting them into Wi-Fi that your laptop, tablet or smart TV can use.

Small portable hotspots, sometimes called MiFi, take their signals from the mobile phone network and also turn them into Wi-Fi. So MiFi is just another way of getting Wi-Fi - from the device’s point of view, it’s exactly the same thing.

---

Last updated 29 April 2026

[1] As of 1st June 2026, there are 3 active broadband providers on the panel at Go.Compare