What is a mobile internet dongle?

A mobile internet dongle is a way of connecting to the internet if you can access a 4G or 5G mobile signal. In 2023, 93% of the UK had 4G coverage and 85% had 5G coverage, according to regulator Ofcom.

Dongles are portable, so you can take them with you wherever you go. They don’t need charging or use batteries. Dongles tend to work out more expensive than broadband but are more flexible.

What is a dongle?

A mobile internet dongle is a portable USB device. It’s also known as a data dongle, USB dongle, wireless dongle, Wi-Fi dongle or internet stick.

The key advantage of a dongle is that you can get internet wherever you are, not just at home as with your broadband. Coverage depends on the area you’re in though. The dongle searches for nearby 4G or 5G mobile reception and uses this to connect you to the internet. If the area you’re in doesn’t have strong mobile reception, you may have a slow connection.

With some providers, you may be able to use your dongle abroad.

How does a mobile internet dongle work?

It’s easy to connect to the internet from a dongle. You purchase a dongle and a SIM card – either 4G or 5G. A 5G dongle provides a faster connection than 4G. Although 5G is not yet available in all areas, the government aims to have coverage across the UK by 2030.

How to use a dongle:

• Insert the SIM card into the dongle.
• Plug the dongle into your PC or laptop’s USB port.
• Connect your computer. You can only connect one device, unlike with broadband where you can connect multiple devices.
• Connect to your network or choose a data pack if you’re on pay as you go.
• Use the dongle in any location – you’re not tied to a house, as with home Wi-Fi. As long as there’s a 4G or 5G signal nearby, you should get internet.
• Make sure you keep your software up to date.

You don’t need any other equipment to use a dongle. It charges from your laptop or PC so won’t run out of power.

How does a dongle contract work?

With most of the main providers, dongle SIMs are offered on 30-day contracts, as well as 12-month and 24-month options. The monthly price tends to be cheaper the longer you sign up for. If you need flexibility, you can choose a pay as you go SIM for your dongle instead.

Bear in mind that dongle download limits can be small and you get charged if you go over them. Check if there’s a data cap before you buy. If you know you use a lot of data, you might want to choose a dongle deal with unlimited data.

Vodafone, for example, offers dongle data packs from 4GB to 30GB, as well as an unlimited data option. You need to use your data within 90 days, otherwise it expires. When you use up your data, you can buy more.

When you buy your dongle, ask if your data pack includes roaming so you can use it abroad. With EE, for example, it’s £25 a month to add data roaming (at the time of writing).

How much does an internet dongle cost?

Some providers charge an upfront one-off cost for a dongle plus a monthly charge for your data. This can vary from £6 to £33 a month depending on your deal. Most providers offer free delivery. A 4G dongle is usually cheaper than a 5G dongle.

Look out for additional deals such as half-price for part of the contract, free use of a streaming channel, or leisure offers.

Where can I buy a dongle?

You can buy a mobile internet dongle online from the main mobile providers. They’re also available on the high street.

When you buy a dongle, you can buy your first data pack at the same time. Check how many gigabytes are included and if this will suit your planned usage.

How do I top up a dongle?

For most dongles, you can top up your data by phone, online or via the app. With some dongles, you can also buy a top-up voucher from a local store.

Some dongles have a time limit in which the top-up amount must be used.Some dongle SIM cards expire after a certain time length. For example, with Vodafone dongles, the SIM expires after a year if it’s not used.

What is a USB dongle used for?

Many people find dongles useful for connecting to the internet flexibly. Dongles can be used for working, studying or streaming, depending on your data pack and signal strength.

Some examples include people who:

• Don’t want, or aren’t able to get a broadband contract.
• Use ADSL or cable but need faster speeds.
• Work on the way to the office and don’t want to rely on train Wi-Fi.
• Are moving  – the average wait to get a broadband connection after moving to a new house is a week.
• Are students and don’t want to share a broadband contract with flatmates.
• Regularly travel abroad and wouldn't make use of a broadband contract.
• Are staying with relatives who have slow internet. 
• Are camping, if the area is not too remote. If you’re in a caravan or campervan, place the dongle by a skylight or window as the signal may struggle to get through metal.

Another popular use for dongles is in case of emergency, for example in a broadband outage. You need to make sure your data pack hasn’t expired, and your dongle SIM has been used within the last year so it is still active.

More internet dongle tips?

• Dongles can be used with PCs and laptops but not tablets, e-readers or mobile phones.
• Dongles can be a good alternative to using café or library Wi-Fi. Some people find them more secure than using free Wi-Fi, particularly when transacting online.
• If your internet cuts out, try putting your dongle in a different USB port on your laptop or PC.

With some dongles, you can also add a memory stick for added storage.

What's the alternative to an internet dongle?

If you need to connect to more than one device, you may want to consider a mobile Wi-Fi device or Mi-Fi. It works like a small modem, connecting you to multiple devices.

Another option is to use your mobile phone to access the internet instead of a laptop or PC.

The other alternative is a broadband contract or package.