Quicklinks
Want to jump straight to a networks site? Heres what you need:
Mobile Broadband - Jargon explained
What does it all mean? We’ve busted the jargon so you don’t have to.
3G Broadband - 3G is shorthand for 3rd Generation. This basically means faster data transfer. The faster the data transfer, the faster you can download music, pictures and videos. Now the unique thing about 3G is that you don’t need a phone line like conventional broadband. Completely wireless you can be anywhere in the UK and you will still have broadband.
HSDPA - This means High Speed Downlink Packet Access. Put simply, HSDPA enabled devices will be able to download files and websites just as fast as your broadband at home.
HSUPA - This means High Speed Uplink Packet Access. This is the opposite of HSDPA, it allows you to upload files faster. For example if you have a bunch of pictures you want to put on Facebook and don’t have a HSUPA enabled device it would take forever! With HSUPA those files will get sent a lot faster, this applies to anything you’re sending - emails, videos, music, photos etc.
Dongle - This is the name given to the little internet stick you plug into your laptops USB port. This little gadget allows you to get online quick and easily and most importantly, without any wires. Being nice and portable you can literally take the internet with you wherever.
USB – Universal Serial Bus. This is a little socket on your PC or laptop that allows you to plug in peripherals such as mice, keyboards, iPods, digital cameras etc. If you’ve ever used a computer before chances are you’ve come across a USB port. You just pop your modem in one of the available sockets and away you go.
GB – GB stands for Gigabyte which is 1024 Megabytes. This is used for measuring how much allowance you get each month.
MB – Megabyte is a term used for the size of a file. For example, an average 3 minute MP3 track is around 5Megabytes in file size. Everything you download can be measured in Megabytes, Gigabytes or Kilobytes.
MBps – Megabits per second is how fast you will be able to download data. The higher this number the faster files and web pages will download to your computer.