Subsidised iPad deals to boost demand for dongles
Christmas is upon us and many Brits will be looking forward to a gadget or two waiting for them under the tree.
Mobile broadband dongles are always a popular gift and demand is set to rise sharply with the iPad soon to be made available cheaply as part of monthly mobile broadband contracts.
Michael Phillips, product director at Broadbandchoices.co.uk commented: "Offering an iPad as part of a monthly mobile broadband deal will prove very appealing. Pricing details are being kept firmly under wraps, but some speculators are already suggesting that people willing to sign a 24-month internet contract with Orange could get their hands on an iPad for as little as £200. Bear in mind list prices for 3G-enabled iPads start at over £500.
"Pre-pay dongles or pay-monthly dongles have really grown in popularity in recent years and with good reason: Dongles are small, lightweight and fool-proof to use - they are the perfect Christmas gift for techies and technophobes alike."
Dongles have come a long way in recent years and there are some great deals now available. Here are Broadbandchoices.co.uk's top tips for choosing the perfect dongle:
1. Check your coverage - mobile broadband works all over the UK but you need to make sure you choose the right network - coverage can be patchy in some areas. Check the network provider's coverage on their website to ensure the one you've chosen cuts the mustard.
2. Compare costs - dongles are free for those choosing lengthy contracts, but for those giving pre-pay dongles as gifts this Christmas, the cost of the dongle can vary significantly. Make sure you use an Ofcom-accredited comparison service such as Broadbandchoices.co.uk to search the whole market and find the best deal.
3. A long or short memory? - many of the latest dongles double up as memory sticks but pre-pay dongles tend to be of a lower spec than those on a contract. It is important to compare any additional features such as memory storage or download limits, alongside the price.
4. Free Wi-fi - some mobile broadband providers offer free Wi-fi minutes, perfect for downloading or streaming programmes onto a laptop. Once again, consumers must look into the various features on offer from the different providers before choosing a dongle, as some won't offer free Wi-fi minutes.
5. Returns policy - when buying a dongle for a loved one this Christmas, you need to ensure that there is enough time - from date of purchase to the recipient unwrapping it on Christmas morning - to return or exchange it if there is a problem, such as a fault or coverage proves totally inadequate despite the provider's claims.