Mobile Internet

[scott88]

Can anyone tell me the advantages of internet dongles over the likes of a B.T homehub. Im new to the concept and dont fully understand it. I use the net daily to stream videos, comunicate, download music and videos, browse. Would mobile broadband be suitable for this type of general use? what speed/download limit should you opt for? Also, are the web pages you bowse included in your download limit?
Any help would be appreciated, cheers!

[Paul Komski]

The BT HomeHub is just one device that can attach to a broadband connection to allow wifi access from computers in range of the device.

Wifi USB Dongles (which usually look like a pen drive) are just one sort of peripheral device that can be used by a PC to connect to a wireless router or hub. Most laptops purchased now already have a wifi card inside them and shouldn't require any additional hardware.

Such dongles can be used by any PC with an appropriate operating system. Desktops can also use wireless NICs (expansion cards) typically a PCI card with an aerial and laptops can also use cardbus PCMCIA cards as an alternative method.

It looks as if the particular BT homehub comes with a cordless phone but its not clear whether this is just for VOIP (such as Skype) or whether it is for making landline telephone calls.

Some such hardware can even do both (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Linksys-Cordless-Dual-Skype-Phone/dp/B000MQQ0CY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1232546300&sr=1-2) but have nothing to do as to whether the PC is connecting to the router/hub with a wire or wirelessly.