One of the greatest internet breakthroughs in the last several years is the rise of the mobile internet. Instead of being merely confined to our home or office, it is now possible to access the internet anytime, anywhere. But what are some of the things you should consider when you are comparing all the mobile internet plans available to you? Here are a few things to keep in mind.

1. Speed

One thing to remember about mobile internet service is that the speeds probably won’t be as fast as you may be used to on the broadband internet service in your home. On the 3g network, you can expect speeds ranging from 600 Kb per second, up to 1.4 Mb per second. While this is vastly superior to the 56 Kb per second offered by modern dial-up modems, it doesn’t compare to the achievable speeds offered by the latest broadband technologies.

2. Price

Given the convenience and flexibility that a mobile internet plan provides you, you may be pleasantly surprised by the reasonable prices. A few entry level packages begin as low as $4.99 per month. These plans obviously don’t provide you with a high download limit, but they can give you the freedom of the mobile internet in situations when you really need it.

3. Download Limits

When choosing a mobile internet plan, it is important to keep in mind your download limits. This may be different depending on how often you plan on using the mobile internet. If you only need to check your email from time to time when you are away from the office, then you can probably get away with a relatively low download limit. If, on the other hand, you plan on doing some serious web browsing on a regular basis, then you probably should opt for at least a 5 GB download limit.

4. Contract

Contracts are a double-edged sword. Going with a service with no contract can give you the flexibility to change service providers or to upgrade when the latest technology comes out. On the other hand, signing a contract can help you get a lower monthly rate. Sometimes, you can even get some free extras when you sign a contract.

5. Location

One of the strongest points about the mobile internet is the wide location in which it is available. Since it uses the same technology as cell phones, it is pretty much available anywhere that you can receive a signal on your cellular phone. While this may preclude certain customers in remote rural areas, you should be able to access the mobile internet as long as you live in an urban or suburban area. If you want on-the-go internet access and you live in a rural area, you might want to look into satellite internet services.

6. Extras

Many mobile internet providers are quite generous in the extras they will give you if you sign up for their service. You can often get not only a wireless USB modem for free, but also a complete netbook system.

7. Bundles

Since mobile internet is typically provided by the cellular phone companies, they can often offer package deals and bundled services. If you already have a cell phone plan, then accessing the mobile internet may be as simple as a small add-on charge.

8. Reputation

The quality of your mobile internet experience will largely reflect the quality of the underlying cell phone service that you choose. If you frequently experience dropped calls and areas where you are unable to place a phone call, then you are likely to experience the same issues with mobile internet service. It’s important to consider the cellular network’s reputation and reliability.

Mobile internet is definitely a great new service that is highly recommended if you want more freedom and flexibility with how you access the internet. While most internet technologies merely promise higher speeds, mobile internet may change the way you think about and use the internet.