What Is USB Broadband?

USB, or Universal Serial Bus, broadband is another name for mobile broadband--a high-speed Internet connection available almost anywhere since the connection is provided by a portable USB modem, stick or "dongle."

How USB Broadband Works

USB broadband uses the 3G, or 3rd Generation, wireless networking technology based on HSDPA (High Speed Download Packet Access) used by the mobile phone network. The technology can, at least in theory, provide download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps (megabits per second).

Advantages

USB modems are small and unobtrusive, and can be easily slipped into a pocket, handbag or laptop bag ready for use whenever they are needed. USB broadband requires no Ethernet cable, no nearby wireless Internet "hotspot" and no external power supply.

Disadvantages

USB broadband is typically slower than wired, home broadband packages and offers a limited download allowance--typically between 1 Gb (gigabit) and 10Gb--because of the high cost of data transfer and the risk of overloading the 3G network.

References

• Broadband Analyst UK: Mobile Broadband USB Dongle -- FAQ
• Top10.com: What is mobile broadband?