Comparison table: Prepaid wireless broadband internet
Buy a mobile broadband dongle and simply prepay for credit as you need it
Read our plain English buyers' guide| Hardware | Network | Price | Top ups | Speed(Up to) | Extras | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
 3 reviews |
$99.00 Includes 1GB free data | $19/500MB $29/1GB $49/3GB $100/6GB $150/12GB | 3G3.6Mb | Go | |
| 2 |
|
 2 reviews |
$89.00 | $15/500MB $29/2GB $49/4GB $149/12GB | 3G | Online exclusive. FREE AVG anti-virus for 12 months, FREE delivery. 12GB recharge expires after 12 months, all others after 30 days | Go |
| 3 |
|
2 reviews |
$99.00 | $15/500MB $29/2GB $49/4GB $149/12GB | 3G | FREE AVG for 12 months and FREE Delivery when you buy online. 12GB recharge expires after 12 months, all others after 30 days | Go |
| 4 |
|
2 reviews |
$99.00 | $15/500MB $29/2GB $49/4GB $149/12GB | 3G | FREE AVG for 12 months and FREE Delivery when you buy online. 12GB recharge expires after 12 months, all others after 30 days | Go |
| 5 |
|
 1 review |
$99.00 | 1GB - $30. 15% bonus online. | 3G3.6Mb | Upto 1GB data when you buy online only (normally 200mb). USB E160E Modem. | Go |
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Buyers Guide: Prepaid Broadband
What is prepaid mobile broadband?
Prepaid broadband is an easy and contract-free way to set yourself up with broadband on the move. With prepaid broadband you have a lot more control over the amount you spend on data usage every month. Rather than pay a fixed monthly subscription fee you can simply top up your wireless broadband dongle when you need extra data usage.
If you're interested in setting yourself up with prepaid wireless broadband first of all you will need to purchase a mobile broadband dongle. Unlike contract wireless broadband the device isn't bundled in with your first top-up so you will need to pay for it up front. Prices vary according to your provider and the USB modem model, but the average device costs around $90.
Your mobile broadband provider will be able to give you a bit guidance on how you check how much data you have left on your device. Some providers even give you the option to check up on your data balance through SMS. 500Mb (the smallest prepay top-up you can purchase from wireless broadband providers) will cost you around $15-$20 dollars and will allow you to download over 30 high-res photos, 20 music tracks and browse the web for a good few hours as well as send text-based emails.
Why should I choose prepaid over contract mobile broadband
Prepaid is a great option if you don't want the hassle or obligation of setting up a contract. It could prove to be an excellent back-up option if your home broadband fails or if you need to be able to connect to the internet even when you're on the move. Prepaid mobile broadband could also be really handy for students as it's very easy to keep tabs on how much you're spending for the service on a monthly basis.
Are there any drawbacks for prepaid broadband?
As well as having to pay for a prepaid dongle upfront there are a few things to consider before spending your $90 .
When you choose to go prepaid you can't expect to download films 24/7 just like your home broadband. Prepaid mobile broadband is really only suitable for casual or lightweight use and data-intensive tasks such as video streaming or heavy downloading may eat away at your data allowance very quickly. This could prove very expensive.
Unlike some contract wireless broadband options chances are you won't be able to use your prepaid dongle overseas.
How long will my prepay top-ups last?
The rules for this vary according to the provider your purchase your mobile broadband dongle from. Some networks have relaxed rules on data usage and are flexible on the amount of time you have to use up your top-up. However, some recharges expire after a fixed time so you will need to make additional prepay top-ups every month.
For example; Network 3 is happy for you to use up 12GB worth of data ($149) over the course of a year. But, if you prefer to add on small top-ups ranging between $15-$49 you will need to make an additional top-up every 30 days.
Is prepaid wireless broadband slower than contract?
Not necessarily. Whilst there are some cracking, speedy deals available on contract, most prepaid dongles average around 3.6Mb - which is what you'll get on some of the cheaper contract deals anyway.
Both prepaid and contract wireless broadband rely on good coverage to fulfil their top speed promises. In built-up areas this shouldn't be too much of a problem as providers strive to improve their 3G networks. However, when you're out of town you may find your connection drops or slows down significantly.
Your mobile broadband provider will be able to provide you with a coverage map so you can check on their wireless broadband signal before you hand over your money for a dongle.
How to I recharge my prepaid broadband dongle?
The easiest way to top up your wireless dongle is to recharge online. You will be able to recharge your dongle by logging into your provider account and paying with your credit card (don't worry - even if you're completely out of data you will be able to access your provider's recharge page). Alternatively, if you're near one of your provider's stores, a dealer or a participating ePay outlet, you will be able to purchase a voucher with a code to top up your device.
Some providers also give prepaid customers the chance to set up an auto-recharge service. This will automatically recharge your dongle and debit your bank account when you're almost out of data.
