Easy Guide to Understanding Pay As You Go Internet
Pay As You Go Internet is fast becoming a fuss-free solution to accessing the web while on the move. Its appeal is highest for those who enjoy the flexibility of not being tied to a binding contract, those who are on the move alot and those who don’t download huge amounts of data.
The following guide will explain the ins and outs of this option to make it easier for you to shop around for the best deals.
Introducing Pay As You Go Mobile Internet
With Pay As You Go Internet, you can access the Web without the need to sign a lengthy contract or pay a set monthly service fee. You will simply top-up your credit as and when you need it.
Currently, there are two uses for Pay As You Go Internet:
PC At Home or Laptop On The Go
By inserting a SIM card into a USB dongle or computer data card, your PC will be able to access the Internet without the need for a fixed telephone line. This means you can securely browse the Web from just about anywhere without having to look for a WI-FI hotspot, as long as there is signal reception to your network provider.
Mobile Phone Internet
These days, mobile phones which are Internet enabled are the standard. Network providers will give you a set allowance of Internet usage with your mobile phone package. This will allow you to browse, download, email and access your social networks while on the fly.
How Pay As You Go Mobile Broadband Works
Whether you use mobile broadband to access the Internet via a USB dongle connected to your PC or via a mobile device, it involves the use of 3G technology. This is the third generation protocol which allows for faster web services and seamless multitasking on computing devices.
By choosing PAYG internet, you will be charged a set rate for each GB of data you download, or for a certain period of time spent online. The minimum amount of time that must be purchased is generally 24 hours.
When shopping around, be sure to look at not only the cheapest rates, but also the bandwidth limits set by your chosen mobile network provider – if you go over their free allowance limit you will be charged extra and find yourself having to top up more frequently than you would like.
Topping Up Your PAYG Internet
When your PAYG mobile internet credit is nearly finished, you’ll need to top-up to continue your internet access. The easiest way to do this is by calling your network provider or by using their top-up service online. All PAYG mobile broadband providers will allow you to top-up online using your registered username and password even when your credit runs out, so you needn’t worry if your top-up allowance runs out in the middle of nowhere.
There are also other options for topping up (depending on the provider), such as buying vouchers from newsagents, supermarkets or even cash points.
Be aware that many mobile internet providers require you to use the credit you buy within a set limit of time (often 30 days), or it expires and the money you’ve paid will be forfeited.
Mobile Internet Speeds and Download Allowances
With 3G technology, you will be promised speeds of up to 7.2Mb for downloads and 1.76Mb for uploads – currently however these top speeds are only available in areas like selected UK airports or central London, but this is expected to become more of the standard in many places as the industry and technology develops.
Mobile broadband is not ideal for heavy download users as the packages that are available can be fairly restrictive for this – generally your download limit will range from 1GB to 10GB. The reasons why unlimited mobile broadband is currently not offered is due to the high costs of transferring data across 3G networks (as opposed to traditional ADSL or cable access) and the concern that unlimited downloads would overload the system and quickly cause lost connections plus slow service across the network.
Conclusion
Pay as you go internet is ideal for those who want flexibility, the ability to control exactly what they spend. If you don’t download excessively, it is a great way to access online services while out and about.
About the Author: Peter C. Williams is a mobile communications consultant and retailer of pay as you go internet for mobile phones.
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