Grab A Great Dongle Deal!

Virgin has become the latest to launch its own mobile broadband dongle. How does it size up against the rest? And which dongle gives the best value? We find out.

In the editorial team, I'm known as the woman who knows about dongles. As you can imagine, it's a highly coveted title, so when Virgin Mobile launched its latest offering, I couldn't wait to get my hands on one.

For anyone that doesn't know what a broadband dongle is, this nifty little device is about the size of a USB data stick, and allows you to get connected to the internet whether you're at home or on the move via the 3G mobile phone network. (Assuming 3G is available.) You simply plug the device into your PC or laptop, and within minutes, you're ready to surf.

Regular readers may remember that back in June, I tested all five dongles on the market. Vodafone emerged as the best, while O2 fared the worst (though with the launch of the iPhone 3G on the O2 network, I'm guessing O2 has brushed up its service.)

Virgin's mobile voyage

For £15 a month, and on an 18 month contract, Virgin's mobile broadband includes 3GB of data. Like its predecessors, the installation process is simple for even the most technically challenged among us, and I was connected to the internet after just a few clicks of my mouse.

I tested the dongle's performance from our offices in Central London using a broadband speed checker, and got speeds ranging from 1.3Mbps during the late afternoon, to 0.8Mbps in the early morning.

However, this was still well shy of the 3Mbps Virgin claims it can reach (Virgin uses the same 3G network as T-Mobile, which also powers its mobile phone service).

In fairness, none of the dongles I've tested managed to reach their advertised speeds. In addition, speeds will vary widely according to your location and how many people are using the service at the same time.

Here's how Virgin compares to other dongles with a 3GB data allowance:

As I predicted in my first article, broadband prices have come down since they were first launched. Top performer Vodafone is now giving away a free dongle with a 12 month contract, whereas before you'd have to commit to a 24 month contract and fork out £39 for a modem.

This is why for speeds and value, Vodafone gets my vote.

Many dongle packages also now come with all manner of gifts to get you to sign up, and in some cases you can even get a free laptop thrown in with your dongle deal, as Anna Powell investigates in Is A Free Laptop Actually Free?

By far, 3 provides the best value for money if you're a light surfer.  And, if you are an existing 3 customer, you can get broadband from as little as £5 a month - with half price dongle deals available for customers already with the provider.

However, it's worth bearing in mind that £5 only gets you 1GB of downloads per month, which 3 says is equivalent to sending 1,000 emails, ten hours web surfing, and downloads of five music videos and 32 music tracks per month. In addition, you'd have to commit to an 18 month term.

It's also important to consider the perks of your plan. For example, T-Mobile includes free Hotspot access with all its mobile broadband plans. This allows you to connect your laptop wirelessly to the internet in handy locations such as airports and your local Starbucks without the need for a dongle - a useful alternative where 3G is not available.

Calculating the cost

One concern many Fools have with dongles is the issue of download limits. With horror stories about individuals unintentionally going over their download limits only to be slapped with expensive bills, it has become one of the main reasons why many are put off signing up for one.

To help, Virgin has developed its own broadband usage calculator. This is a useful tool, enabling you to see how all those hours on your instant messenger and internet actually tot up. This way, you can calculate which broadband plan is best according to your personal use.

Surf without commitment

As I also wrote in my first article, as broadband prices slowly come down, some minimum contract terms for dongles are going up -- with some contracts now lasting as long as 24 months.

For those put off by this, several providers are now offering dongles that only require a 30 day commitment. However, this comes at a price.

Here's a table of what the providers are offering on a 30 day contract term, with a maximum download limit of 3GB:

As you can see, not tying yourself into a contract proves more costly, and if you took out Vodafone's 30 day plan but ended up keeping it for a year, you'd end up forking out £189 more over the year than if you signed on the dotted line.

However, there is light at the end of this no-strings tunnel. The cheapest dongle is provided by 3, and if you don't mind forking out for a modem, it will cost the same on a monthly basis as it would if you committed to a 12 month contract.

At the end of the day, dongles aren't for everyone, and those who regularly download movies and songs should steer well away, as they will probably end up costing more than you bargained for.

However, the standard 3GB of monthly inclusive data goes further than you think, and a dongle is still certainly worth considering as an alternative to phone-line broadband, or simply those who want the freedom of having broadband on the move.

More: Save £203 A Year With A Dongle / When Online Shopping Goes Wrong