PAYG Mobile Broadband
What is PAYG Mobile Broadband?
Pay as you go mobile broadband is great for those of you who don’t want to be tied into a lengthy contract.
You pay only for the Internet usage that you use; there are no hidden extras so you won’t be surprised with any nasty bills.
PAYG mobile broadband is simple. You pre-purchase the amount of mobile broadband “credit” you would like to use (for example, £10 worth of Internet usage) and you use it. Or you can opt to be charged a set amount each day that you use your dongle.
Who would PAYG Mobile Broadband be suited to?
Pay as you go mobile broadband would suit anybody as it’s so flexible, allowing users to only use what they need.
There are no hidden costs or charges and no monthly bills, so it’s also great for those who don’t want to be tied into a monthly contract.
It also allows users to trial several mobile broadband providers before they do commit to a contract. This way, there are no hidden surprises surrounding coverage or the service received.
Whether you’re a student, an entrepreneur, a stay at home parent, or an office worker, pay as you go mobile broadband is a great way to access the Internet whilst on the move.
How does PAYG Mobile Broadband work?
Pay as you go mobile broadband means there is no monthly contract. You aren’t tied in to a lengthy contract and you can stop using the PAYG dongle at any time; you only pay for the amount you use.
You share the exact same network and connection as pay monthly customers and mobile broadband providers don’t give pay monthly customers any preferential treatment on Internet connections or speeds. Your coverage will also be exactly the same as a pay monthly customer.
How much does PAYG Mobile Broadband cost?
If you enter a pay monthly mobile broadband contract, the majority of the time this will come with a free USB dongle. However with PAYG, it’s likely you’ll have to pay for your dongle. This will be a one off charge, almost like a connection fee. The initial price of a dongle varies; however expect to pay between £10 and £20.
Rather than be billed an exact price each month, PAYG customers purchase their Internet usage in GB or Gigabytes. For example, you may purchase 1GB of Internet usage or “top up” for a one off fee of £10.
Alternatively, you can purchase your Internet usage by the day. You only pay for the days you use and this will be a fixed price per day, for example £2 each day your Internet dongle is used.
Users of PAYG mobile broadband will pay more per GB for the flexibility of not having a fixed contract.
Click here to see our PAYG data rates.
Pre-paid PAYG Mobile Broadband Dongles
What are Pre-paid Mobile Broadband Dongles?
Several mobile broadband providers offer pre-paid mobile broadband dongles. This means that the dongle comes pre-loaded with a data allowance so you won't have to buy a top-up straight away.
Pre-paid dongles are great for those of you who can afford the initial cost of buying your data usage in advance, rather than topping up as you go along.
When buying pre-paid PAYG dongles, make sure you check the date of when you have to use the data allowance. Most providers give you around a year to use the data that you've purchased. After this time the data allowance will be lost.
Is PAYG Mobile Broadband good value for money?
It’s much cheaper for each GB of data downloaded for a pay monthly customer, but this is subject to being tied into a lengthy monthly contract.
PAYG mobile broadband is great value for money for those who value their freedom and don’t want to be tied into a monthly contract.
Click here to see our PAYG data rates.
Are there any hidden costs involved with PAYG Mobile Broadband?
Unlike most pay monthly customers, you will be required to purchase your USB modem or dongle from the mobile broadband provider in the first instance.
After this initial cost you’ll be pleased to know that there are no hidden extras.
What happens if I go over by Data Allowance?
You purchase your data allowance in advance so it’s impossible to go over your data allowance.
You pay for the amount of data you need before you use it.
Tips on finding the best PAYG Deal
When comparing mobile broadband PAYG deals, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for added extras that the providers may be offering at no extra cost.
Unlimited browsing is a great extra and will be very useful to a PAYG customer, as are promotions on free dongles.
Be sure to look at our comparison charts above to find the best deal to suit your needs. Click here to see our PAYG data rates.
PAYG Flexible Contracts
What are PAYG Flexible Contracts?
Many of the mobile broadband providers offer PAYG flexible contracts where you are billed monthly, but can cancel your contract after a minimum of one or two months. Usually, you are required to give the mobile broadband provider 30 days notice to cancel any contract.
Pay as you go flexible contracts are a great compromise between pay monthly mobile broadband and PAYG mobile broadband.
It's important to note that if you cancel a flexible contract, you'll normally have to purchase a new PAYG mobile broadband SIM card so any preferential rates that you had will be lost.
PAYG Data Rates
It's important to check the pay as you go data rates for your provider before you purchase a pay as you go dongle.
It's always prudent to have all of the data rates available, as well as bearing in mind the initial cost of the dongle to get the best PAYG deal possible.
Click here to see our PAYG data rates.