ISP | Total | % of UK Accts. | |
| BT (inc Plusnet) | 5,341,000 | 27.00% | |
| Talk Talk | 4,249,000 | 21.50% | |
| Virgin Media | 4,242,000 | 21.49% | |
| Sky | 3,006,000 | 15.20% | |
| Orange | 795,000 | 4.00% | |
| O2 (Be Broadband) | 663,800 | 3.40% | |
| Royal Mail | 600,000 | 3.00% | |
| 3 (Mobile Dongles) | 255,000 | 1.30% | |
| T-Mobile (Dongle) | 195,000 | 0.90% | |
| Vodafone (Dongle) | 190,000 | 0.80% | |
| Kingston | 178,200 | 0.70% | |
| Thus | 93,000 | 0.50% |
The UK Broadband market has become very concentrated with almost 20 million broadband accounts with over 98% concentrated in the top twelve providers with a high degree of consolidation among the top 5 players. The standard speed offering has increased from around 2Mb to 8Mb over the past two years, however many of the grand claims of the leading providers offering 20Mb broadband access is far of the mark with most only achieving 7-8 Mb on average.
The super fast 40Mb and 50Mb deals are beginning to enter the market but mainly only appeal to specialist hard care users in the consumer market.
Whilst the growth of mobile dongles has slowed the market continues to evolve. There are a number of players offering a range of speeds and costs. The market for the iPad and Kindle 3G devices is growing very quickly through sim only offerings. The new tablet applications such as the iPad and Samsung Galaxy and the soon to be launched Motorola Zoom represent the most exciting sector of the market and the mobile networks are likely to be climbing over each other to offer the 3G broadband connectivity. A quick look at the offerings below reveal the developments in the dongle market which will form the basis of any 3G Sim deals for the new tablets.
Who offers mobile broadband via mobile broadband dongles?
- Vodafone offers a range of mobile broadband dongles, the most popular being its small and speedy "USB Modem stick" starting at £15 a month. With speeds of up to 7.2Mb and download allowance of 3Gb, this offer is a real no-brainer.
- 3's mobile USB modem dongle comes free on many of the 3 packages. Offering 1Gb downloads and speeds of up to 7.2Mb, 3’s £10 per month offer is great value for money.
- T Mobile's USB dongles offer speeds of up to 7.2Mb and download allowances of 3Gb - 9/10 T Mobile customers say it "works like a dream".
- Orange's dongle is the sleekest and fastest they've ever made, offering speeds of up to 7.2Mb.
- Virgin Media was late to the mobile broadband market, but it is making some very attractive offers speeds of up 7.2Mb at excellent price points.
- O2 dongles get you online at speeds of up to 3.6Mb and start from just £10 per month.
