I’ve heard I can get unlimited Internet access on my phone. That sounds too good to be true. Is it? Yes and no. It’s true that you can get Internet access on your phone, and that it’s unlimited in the sense you’d have a hard time reaching the limits imposed using just your phone.
See, mobile networks offer tariffs with usage limits starting at 10MB per month. That’s low by traditional broadband standards, but you’re unlikely to be downloading files using your phone, just looking at webpages and emails, so the amount of data used is much less. 10MB is enough to look at over 1,000 webpages, and costs from £5 a month with Three’s Internet add-ons.
That’s pretty tasty, and while it’s not truly unlimited, there are no limits on when you use it, what you use it for or how much you use it (within your data allowance), so it’s a slightly different interpretation of the term.
But what if I want to download files? Say, email attachments or documents from a server at work? If you plan on downloading lots of data you’ll need a plan with a greater allowance. Unfortunately, that means parting with a smidge more cash each month.
T-Mobile have Web’n’Walk options with data allowances starting at 1GB per month for an extra £7.50 on top of your normal tariff. If that’s not enough, they go up to 10GB using Web’n’Walk Max, although to get the most out of that you’ll need to use a laptop.
How can I use my laptop with a phone? By linking the two, you’ll be able to get your laptop online though your mobile’s connection. It’s the only way to really make the most of your monthly data allowance, as you’ll be able to download files properly, surf multiple websites at once and send emails with hefty attachments.
So what’re the best steps to choosing a mobile Internet tariff? First decide how you’re going to use the Internet through your phone. If you just plan to look at websites and email through your handset, choose the cheapest add-on available. Don’t worry too much about the usage limit applied, as you’ll struggle to reach it using a handset alone.
If you’re planning to pair your phone with a computer, however, pick a tariff with a 1GB usage limit. That’ll be enough for surfing and e-mail through your handset and laptop, although might not be enough for those planning video downloads or extensive multimedia, such as music purchases. To cater for those activities, you’ll need a higher data allowance. Aim for 3GB – that should be enough for most users. 10GB limits and above should be for business users only, as they’re expensive, and of dubious extra value.
Lastly, should I worry about the speed of my mobile Internet connection? Absolutely. We’ve recommended T-Mobile and Three as they’re both building fast HSDPA networks that’ll connect you to the Internet at similar speeds to your home broadband. Other networks are building these networks too, but at present T-Mobile and Three offer the cheapest access and most reliable signals.
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