Is mobile broadband suitable for business?
About the author: Matt Powell is the editor for broadband comparison website BroadbandGenie.co.uk
With the launch of 4G in the UK mobile broadband is set to become an increasingly popular method for accessing the internet. 3G never quite lived up to the promise but 4G offers a genuinely fast connection in real world conditions, providing connectivity in excess of 20-30Mb. At those speeds it has the potential to replace fixed line broadband services for some users, businesses included.
But is it really a good solution for businesses? Let’s explore some of the plus points and pitfalls of using mobile data for your net needs.
Why mobile broadband could be good for your business
Flexibility
The mobile part of mobile broadband is a big advantage as you don’t need to be tethered to a desk to work. It allows you, or your employees, to stay in touch while travelling, or just get out of the office for a few hours to work from a coffee shop.
Security
If you make use of Wi-Fi hotspots or net cafes for work you should consider the security issues surrounding these connections. It’s possible for the connection owner or even other users on the same network to ‘sniff’ your traffic and intercept the data, which could lead to all sorts of problems. A VPN connection can protect you, but there’s no such concern if you connect with mobile broadband.
Cost and setup
For the self-employed or small business owner the cost of mobile broadband can be a boon. Provided you’re not transmitting enormous amounts of data mobile broadband packages are not expensive, and PAYG is useful for keeping a tight leash on costs. PAYG does work out to be pricier in the long term but it’s a good option if you’re just getting a business off the ground.
But it’s not just about the running costs. There’s no phone line installation required, it can be up and running almost instantly, many deals do not have setup fees and ‘no contract’ mobile broadband can be cancelled at any time without penalty. You can also go for the budget option of buying a cheap second hand dongle and a SIM from the nearest mobile network store.
International roaming
Mobile broadband is helpful if you travel abroad frequently. Roaming costs used to be very high, but EU rules have capped the per-MB charges and there are several specialist roaming providers which offer very cheap deals specifically for use in other countries, even outside the comparatively cheap EU zones. Some even offer mobile broadband dongle hire with airport pick-up and drop-off.
Why mobile broadband may not be suitable for business
Limited data allowance
Presently, no UK network offers more than 15GB of data allowance. You can exceed this of course and pay the additional charges, or just buy more top-ups if you’re using PAYG, but if your work requires you to frequently transmit large amounts of data this is not cost effective.
Speed and connectivity is unpredictable
If your net connection is business critical mobile broadband can be a frustrating experience. Within towns and cities you should rarely have problems finding a connection, but it can quickly drop off once you move to less populated areas. This is particularly troublesome when commuting on the train.
There’s also no guarantee of speed. 3G mobile broadband is often quoted as being ‘up to’ 7.2Mb, or even 40Mb with newer upgraded networks, however in reality you will rarely see more than 2-3Mb. This is fine for web browsing and email and just about adequate for a Skype call, but attempt to download or send large files or watch streaming video and it will struggle.
4G is much faster, however you then run into issues with coverage. 4G signal is still limited to specific towns and cities and even then may not be available outside central areas. Some services may not be supported
Connect to your office with a VPN? This is a preferred method for many businesses to secure communications, but you may discover that your mobile broadband does not allow the connection. Some networks also prevent the use of VOIP services such as Skype.
Check with the provider before buying to ensure they support any specialist requirements you may have. It may be necessary to opt for a business-specific mobile broadband.
It can be expensive
Mobile broadband is cheaper for some users in some situations, but if you require constant connectivity and need to send and receive lots of files it will almost certainly be better to get a fixed line service, because even with the added cost of a phone line you’ll spend less.
This is particularly applicable to certain industries – you wouldn’t want to run an online business from mobile broadband, and those in creative roles will find it tedious sending big images or videos on a mobile data link.
To control costs, over-estimate your usage slightly so you always have some headroom to account for unexpectedly large data usage. Some providers also offer unlimited data on smartphones, which can be very cheap if you tether the handset to a laptop. And of course you can use Synergy Mobile to find a tailored communications package that fits your needs and budget, and Broadband Genie for a buyer’s guide to mobile broadband.