Mobile Broadband Versus Home Broadband: Which Is The One For You?

In 2016, a Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) report revealed 76.9% of Malaysians were internet users, which is why picking the right broadband to connect to the wired masses is a choice you cannot make on impulse.

If you are in the market for a broadband connection or are looking to make a switch, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the sea of plans out there.

Thus, to make sure you make the right decision according to your lifestyle, we’ve weighed out the advantages of a home and mobile broadband.

Perks of home broadband

This type of connection links computers to the internet at home using a cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), or a modem and router.  Here’s what you need to know about home broadband:

• A fixed line at home

A home broadband is a fixed line that is mostly used for a home connection. This means you cannot access the internet connection elsewhere, as you must be within a specific distance from the connection to access the internet. Most plans also require a landline to set up the connection.

• Great bandwidth

Bandwidth refers to the transfer rate of data to the network, which in layman terms, refers to the speed of the internet. The bandwidth, which is measured in megabits per second (Mbps), indicates how much data can be sent in a specific period of time. The Mbps is always advertised with home broadband plans and the rule of thumb is, the higher the number, the faster the connection (as more data is transmitted per second).

However, to make a decision on how much Mbps you need, consider your lifestyle. If you are only planning to use the internet connection to access social media, emails or just general internet surfing, a speed of 10 Mbps is pretty reliable.

But, if you are opting to use the internet for heavier internet activities, such as streaming, downloading or gaming, you can opt for a higher Mbps for a faster connection. Check out Maxis packages, which provides a good range of plans with different bandwidths.

• Good reliability

One of the most important things when it comes to internet connection, is its reliability. With a fixed line, this means the less likely it is to lag. Thus, you can expect a good quality connection when using the net for activities such as streaming videos, video calling or gaming.

However, this depends on your area’s coverage of your internet plan as some plans may not have good connection in some areas. Before you make a decision, it’s best to check what plans are most reliable in your area with our free broadband coverage checker.

• Connects more than one

You can connect your entire family or share the connection with your household without having your speed disturbed by the number of users, as a home broadband is designed to link several computers to the same network.

• Unlimited downloads

Most home broadband plans have unlimited downloads, which means you can use browse, download and upload files on the internet without having to fork out extra cash if you go beyond a certain limit. To check if the plan you’re interested in has unlimited downloads, check out the list of broadband plans.

• Access to IPTV

The bonus, which you’ll notice when comparing broadband plans, is that it usually comes with free access to Internet Protocol Television (IPTV). IPTV is a television network accessible over internet protocol network. With this, you can enjoy free channels (depending on the package), which include popular streaming sites, such as iFlix.

For example, Maxis internet plans usually come bundled with free unlimited access to iFlix, especially if you sign up for plans with higher mbps, while Unifi plans provides access to their own platform called, HyppTV.

Perks of mobile broadband

Just like the name, this type of broadband is a mobile device where you can get internet connection wherever you go. This is accessible using a dongle, mobile or a portable WiFi.

• Portability

This is one of the major differences if you were to pit it against home broadband. As we’ve stated above, you can get access anywhere you go (depending on the coverage strength of your broadband). This is great if you are always on-the-go and in need of an internet connection.

• Low maintenance

There isn’t usually much to set up a mobile broadband, most of the time it requires a sim card and a dongle attached with a USB port, unlike a home broadband which requires more wires than one.

• Speed

Mobile broadband uses 4G, which is the fourth generation of cellular network after 3G – this is the connection we use on our mobile phones these days. However, this depends on the signal strength in the area that you intend to connect from. Sometimes, the coverage with a home broadband may not be as strong in a specific area, which is when the 4G capabilities of a mobile broadband may be the better choice.

• Plan flexibility

Mobile broadband plans usually come without contracts, which means you can opt to stop or switch your plan whenever you want. This is especially beneficial for those who re-locate often as they can change their broadband plans accordingly, especially if the area does not have good coverage.

Speed up your internet connection with these tips

Sometimes the full capabilities of your broadband plan can be hampered by other factors that affect its performance. Hence, to avoid blaming your service provider company unnecessarily, here are three tips to ensure your connection is doing its best for you.

• Check your web browser – make sure your web browser is the latest version as browser updates are to fix bugs or enhance its performance, which includes the speed and reliability.
• Implement a password – always password protect your connection, as sometimes others within the neighbourhood or those nearby might tap into your network and this could slow down your connection. To prevent this from happening, make sure your password is not easily cracked and use a series of numbers, lower case and upper-case letters.
• Connect via cable – although we love a wireless connection, sometimes the speed isn’t one to brag about especially if there are multiple connections on one network. Thus, to speed it up (in urgent cases) you can connect your computer directly to the network using an ethernet cable from your router.
• Set up your router – when setting up your router, make sure it is connected to your home phone’s main socket, rather than using an extension lead as this can slow down its speed.

However, speed is also dependent on the coverage within an area. As we’ve stressed above, check your area’s coverage first before you decide to take up a plan.

Additionally, if you need extra help on understanding the technicalities associated with broadband plans, you can check out our broadband glossary that explains all the terms you need to know!