Mobile broadband Glossary

Mobile broadband comes with a number of terms of which the user should be familiarised in order to have a better know-how about mobile broadband. There are few words listed down which will help you in understanding them.

3G and 4G
3G is third generation mobile network which enhance the data transfer rate. Similarly 4G is known as Fourth Generation mobile network and their trials could offer 1 Gbps speed when it is stationary.

Dongle
Dongle is the term given for a mobile broadband and it comes with a size equal to that of a credit card but is a bit thicker. It is used in order to access the internet. It can be plugged directly into the laptop or desktop computer through a USB port.

Stick
This is also used for accessing the internet and is shaped like a stick. With a length of just few inches, it could be plugged into the USB port of the computer and works well as mobile broadband modem.

Data card
This is an extraordinary mobile broadband modem which works only with laptops with PCMIA expansion slots.

HSPA
The expansion of HSPA is High Speed Packet Access and this is yet another type of mobile broadband standard.

HSDPA
HSDPA when expanded is High Speed Downlink Packet Access is another commonly used mobile broadband standard in most of the deals available today.

HSUPA
High Speed Uplink Packet Access is the expansions of HSUPA. This is a well known standard and offers very fast mobile broadband uplink connections.

LTE
Long Term Evolution or LTE is related to 4G technology. In just few years LTE will be ahead of the next generation mobile broadband networks.