Can I use my mobile data instead of broadband?

If, like so many of us around the UK, you are keen to explore new ways of cutting your household bills, then there’s a good chance that you’ve wondered whether it really makes sense to be paying out for home broadband as well as a mobile phone contract. After all, most mobile phone plans include a generous level of data these days, so could you be saving cash by ditching the broadband?

Using Your Mobile For Internet Access

There are certainly plenty of reasons why using your smartphone for internet access can be a great choice. First of all, it will save you having to pay out for a landline (a typical condition of a broadband connection package) which you might simply never use. Furthermore, if you live in a rural area which is still behind on its broadband rollout, then using your mobile data instead can give you faster, more reliable access to the internet.

If you have a 4G enabled smartphone (or better yet, have a 5G phone and live within one of the current accessible zones), then you will be able to get fast download speeds to your device whilst you’re at home or out and about. In fact, the average speed of 4G internet is often quicker than fixed line, ADSL broadband, and can get close to even fibre optic broadband speeds in some instances. 5G is quicker still, making it a boon for gamers in particular. By tethering your smartphone, you can even create an internet hotspot that can give other devices in your home broadband access, too.

This is great news if you simply use the internet for checking up on your social media feed, reading and sending a few emails, or perhaps doing a bit of online shopping. If you want to use broadband for more than this, however, then you might want to think again. If you live in a busy city, you may also find that your mobile internet access fluctuates at peak times, as hundreds of others try to use the network at the same time. And, those who have a larger household full of avid internet users, as well as those who enjoy online gaming or using high demand streaming services such as Netflix, may find that paying for broadband is a better option.

The Benefits Of Choosing Broadband

Simply put, unless you have plans to only have limited use of the internet, then a broadband connection is likely to make better sense financially. That’s because mobile providers typically have download limits, and those which offer unlimited downloads charge more than conventional broadband providers.

And opting for a broadband service is likely to give you other benefits, too, such as a better overall consistency and the fastest download speeds (especially if you can get fibre where you live), as well as coming with the option to bundle it in with other services, such as TV. This makes for a great value package for those with families, who are likely to want access to fast broadband for a range of entertainment purposes, from watching films to playing games online. If you work from home, the reliability (and additional cyber security) that a broadband connection offers can also be worth the cost.

Other Choices

Luckily, there is now a lot more flexibility when it comes to your choice of broadband options. Some providers even offer a mobile broadband service, which can be a great compromise between paying for fully connected broadband and relying on your smartphone. This service is delivered by the mobile networks, so coverage can vary, but offers the advantage of not needing a landline, as well as a range of flexible contract lengths including pay as you go.

The latest mobile broadband deals are very competitive when compared to traditional broadband services, and many even come with a Wi-Fi router or hub as part of the deal, so they can be a smart option for anyone wanting a quick and easy way to get their whole household set up with the internet. This also makes for a good choice for people who are only likely to need their broadband for a few months, such as students, or those planning to move house. Better still, you can easily arrange to take the mobile broadband with you when you go.