3G USB Modem
Mobile Broadband has finally become
affordable with monthly tariffs starting from just £10 per month including
1GB download allowance. Not bad considering there are no telephone line
rental charges to add on top. For those who want more than 1GB, there are
plenty of options - 3GB, 5GB, 7GB, 10GB and a massive 15GB are now all
options.
There is just as much choice when it comes to choosing a 3G USB modem, as
many of the UK networks have different USB modems. We have dedicated
this page to showing you all the 3G USB modems currently available from the
UK networks, so you can compare the styles, features and supported speeds on
one page - without having to trawl the Internet.
If you are looking for a FREE 3G modem on contract, please visit our Mobile Broadband comparison.
3G USB Modem or 3G USB Stick?
What's the difference between a 3G USB modem and a 3G USB stick? From the outside, the biggest difference you will notice is size - the USB sticks are generally smaller than 3G USB modems. There are some differences on the inside too - 3G USB sticks often support newer technology with faster download and upload speeds, although your 3G network with normally be the restriction on download speed.
Compare 3G Modems
We have listed all your 3G USB modem router options below (in no particular order)
and a selection of tariffs.
If you want to buy, click on the 
button and you will be directed to the providers website. Alternatively, you
can view our full Mobile
Broadband comparison.
Click on a provider logo to jump to your preferred provider:
3 Mobile Vodafone
T-Mobile Orange
SIM Free 3G Modems
If you already own a 3G SIM and want to upgrade to the latest technology, we sell a range of SIM FREE USB modem supplied without a contract. Many of them support HSUPA technology with download speeds of 7.2 Mbps possible and upload speeds of up to 2 Mbps (in some cases 5.76 Mbps with a future firmware upgrade). Other features include built-in MicroSD card slots, so the 3G modem can double up as a USB memory stick.
Click on an image to see product
information and specifications on the 3g modem:
Huawei E1750
Huawei E156
Nokia CS-10
Compass 888
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||
| Specification: | ||
| Modem Type | 3G USB Modem | |
| Manufacturer | Huawei | |
| Model | E220 | |
| Maximum download speed* | 3.6 Mbps (7.2 Mbps with firmware update) | |
| Billion 3G router compatible | √ | |
| Maximum upload speed* | 384 Kbps | |
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | |
This modem has been discontinued by Three Mobile.
 |
|||
| Specification: | |||
| Modem Type | 3G USB Modem | ||
| Manufacturer | ZTE | ||
| Model | MF622 | ||
| Maximum download speed* | 3.6 Mbps | ||
| Maximum upload speed* | 384 Kbps | ||
| Billion 3G router compatible | √ | ||
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | ||
This modem has been discontinued by Three Mobile. RIP!
 |
|||
| Specification: | |||
| Modem Type | 3G USB Stick Modem | ||
| Manufacturer | ZTE | ||
| Model | MF627 | ||
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | ||
| Maximum upload speed* | 384 Kbps | ||
| Additional Features | Built-in MicroSD card slot | ||
| Billion 3G router compatible | No | ||
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | ||
| Contract | Monthly | Out of | 3G Modem | Monthly 3G Data | Check | Network | Link to | |
| 3G Tariff | length | Cost | Bundle Charge | Cost | Allowance | 3G Coverage | Speed | Buy |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Lite 1GB | 18 months | £10.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 1 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps |  |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Plus 5GB | 18 months | £15.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 5 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Max 15GB | 18 months | £30.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 15 GB ! | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Lite 1GB | 24 months | £10.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 1 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Plus 5GB | 24 months | £15.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 5 GB | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Max 15GB | 24 months | £30.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 15 GB ! | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
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|||
| Specification: | |||
| Modem Type | 3G USB Stick Modem | ||
| Manufacturer | Huawei | ||
| Model | E169 (White) | ||
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | ||
| Maximum upload speed* | 384 Kbps | ||
| Additional Features | Built-in MicroSD card slot | ||
| Billion 3G router compatible | √ | ||
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | ||
| Contract | Monthly | Out of | 3G Modem | Monthly 3G Data | Check | Network | Link to | |
| 3G Tariff | length | Cost | Bundle Charge | Cost | Allowance | 3G Coverage | Speed | Buy |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Lite 1GB | 18 months | £10.00 | 10p / MB | £9.99 | 1 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Plus 5GB | 18 months | £15.00 | 10p / MB | £9.99 | 5 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Max 15GB | 18 months | £30.00 | 10p / MB | £9.99 | 15 GB ! | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Lite 1GB | 24 months | £10.00 | 10p / MB | £9.99 | 1 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Plus 5GB | 24 months | £15.00 | 10p / MB | £9.99 | 5 GB | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Max 15GB | 24 months | £30.00 | 10p / MB | £9.99 | 15 GB ! | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
 |
|||
| Specification: | |||
| Modem Type | 3G USB Stick Modem | ||
| Manufacturer | Huawei | ||
| Model | E169 (Black) | ||
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | ||
| Maximum upload speed* | 384 Kbps | ||
| Additional Features | Built-in MicroSD card slot | ||
| Billion 3G router compatible | √ | ||
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | ||
| Contract | Monthly | Out of | 3G Modem | Monthly 3G Data | Check | Network | Link to | |
| 3G Tariff | length | Cost | Bundle Charge | Cost | Allowance | 3G Coverage | Speed | Buy |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Lite 1GB | 18 months | £10.00 | 10p / MB | £9.99 | 1 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Plus 5GB | 18 months | £15.00 | 10p / MB | £9.99 | 5 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Max 15GB | 18 months | £30.00 | 10p / MB | £9.99 | 15 GB ! | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Lite 1GB | 24 months | £10.00 | 10p / MB | £9.99 | 1 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Plus 5GB | 24 months | £15.00 | 10p / MB | £9.99 | 5 GB | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Max 15GB | 24 months | £30.00 | 10p / MB | £9.99 | 15 GB ! | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
 |
|||
| Specification: | |||
| Modem Type | 3G USB Stick Modem | ||
| Manufacturer | Huawei | ||
| Model | E160 (White) | ||
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | ||
| Maximum upload speed* | 384 Kbps | ||
| Billion 3G router compatible | √ | ||
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | ||
| Contract | Monthly | Out of | 3G Modem | Monthly 3G Data | Check | Network | Link to | |
| 3G Tariff | length | Cost | Bundle Charge | Cost | Allowance | 3G Coverage | Speed | Buy |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Lite 1GB | 18 months | £10.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 1 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Plus 5GB | 18 months | £15.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 5 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Max 15GB | 18 months | £30.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 15 GB ! | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Lite 1GB | 24 months | £10.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 1 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Plus 5GB | 24 months | £15.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 5 GB | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Max 15GB | 24 months | £30.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 15 GB ! | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
 |
|||
| Specification: | |||
| Modem Type | 3G USB Stick Modem | ||
| Manufacturer | Huawei | ||
| Model | E156 (Black) | ||
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | ||
| Maximum upload speed* | 384 Kbps | ||
| Billion 3G router compatible | No | ||
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | ||
| Contract | Monthly | Out of | 3G Modem | Monthly 3G Data | Check | Network | Link to | |
| 3G Tariff | length | Cost | Bundle Charge | Cost | Allowance | 3G Coverage | Speed | Buy |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Lite 1GB | 18 months | £10.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 1 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Plus 5GB | 18 months | £15.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 5 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Max 15GB | 18 months | £30.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 15 GB ! | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Lite 1GB | 24 months | £10.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 1 GB |
3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Plus 5GB | 24 months | £15.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 5 GB | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
| 3 Mobile Broadband Max 15GB | 24 months | £30.00 | 10p / MB | Free | 15 GB ! | 3G Coverage | 2.8 Mbps | |
 |
|||
| Specification: | |||
| Modem Type | 3G USB Stick Modem | ||
| Manufacturer | Huawei | ||
| Model | E169 | ||
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | ||
| Maximum upload speed* | 384 Kbps | ||
| Billion 3G router compatible | √ | ||
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X |
| Contract | Monthly | Out of | 3G Modem | Monthly 3G Data | Check | Network | Link to | |
| 3G Tariff | length | Cost | Bundle Charge | Cost | Allowance | 3G Coverage | Speed | Buy |
| Vodafone 3GB Mobile Broadband | 18 months | £15.00 | £15 / GB | Free | 3 GB |
3G Coverage | 7.2 Mbps | |
| Vodafone 3GB Mobile Broadband | 24 months | £15.00 | £15 / GB | Free | 3 GB |
3G Coverage | 7.2 Mbps | |
| Vodafone 5GB Mobile Broadband | 24 months | £25.00 | £15 / GB | Free | 5 GB | 3G Coverage | 7.2 Mbps |
|
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|||
| Specification: | |||
| Modem Type | 3G USB Stick Modem | ||
| Manufacturer | Huawei | ||
| Model | E172 | ||
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | ||
| Maximum upload speed* | 2 Mbps (HSUPA) | ||
| Billion 3G router compatible | No | ||
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X |
| Contract | Monthly | Out of | 3G Modem | Monthly 3G Data | Check | Network | Link to | |
| 3G Tariff | length | Cost | Bundle Charge | Cost | Allowance | 3G Coverage | Speed | Buy |
| Vodafone 3GB Mobile Broadband | 24 months | £15.00 | £15 / GB | Free | 3 GB | 3G Coverage | 7.2 Mbps | |
| Vodafone 5GB Mobile Broadband | 24 months | £25.00 | £15 / GB | Free | 5 GB | 3G Coverage | 7.2 Mbps | |
 |
|||
| Specification: | |||
| Modem Type | 3G USB Stick Stick | ||
| Manufacturer | TBD | ||
| Model | TBD | ||
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | ||
| Maximum upload speed* | 2.0 Mbps (HSUPA) | ||
| Billion 3G router compatible | No | ||
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | ||
| Contract | Monthly | Out of | 3G Modem | Monthly 3G Data | Check | Network | Link to | |
| 3G Tariff | length | Cost | Bundle Charge | Cost | Allowance | 3G Coverage | Speed | Buy |
| T-Mobile Mobile Broadband Plus | 18 months | £15.00 | Account Restricted | Free | 3 GB | 3G Coverage | 4.5 Mbps |  |
| T-Mobile Mobile Broadband Max | 18 months | £30.00 | Account Restricted | Free | 10 GB | 3G Coverage | 4.5 Mbps |  |
 |
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| Specification: | |||
| Modem Type | 3G USB Stick Modem | ||
| Manufacturer | Option | ||
| Model | ICON 225 | ||
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | ||
| Maximum upload speed* | 384 Kbps | ||
| Billion 3G router compatible | √ | ||
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | ||
| Contract | Monthly | Out of | 3G Modem | Monthly 3G Data | Check | Network | Link to | |
| 3G Tariff | length | Cost | Bundle Charge | Cost | Allowance | 3G Coverage | Speed | Buy |
| Orange Internet Everywhere | 18 months | £15.00 | 1.46p / MB | Free | 3 GB |
3G Coverage | 3.6 Mbps | |
SIM FREE 3G Modems
 |
||
| Specification: | Supplied SIM Free (no contract) | |
| Modem Type | 3G USB Modem | |
| Manufacturer | Sierra | |
| Model | Aircard 306 | |
| Technology | HSPA+ Tri-band UMTS (850/1900/2100 MHz) | |
| Maximum download speed* | 21 Mbps | |
| Maximum upload speed* | 5.76 Mbps | |
| Additional features | Built-in MicroSD card slot | |
| External antenna connector | ||
| Billion 3G router compatible | Untested | |
| Network compatibility | 3 Mobile, T-Mobile, O2, Orange, Vodafone | |
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | |
| Download Specification | ||
| Price + VAT Price inc VAT | + delivery | |
| £134.99 £161.99 |  |
|
| Stock 0 | ||
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| Specification: | Supplied SIM Free (no contract) | |
| Modem Type | 3G USB Modem | |
| Manufacturer | Sierra | |
| Model | Compass 888 | |
| Technology | HSUPA | |
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | |
| Maximum upload speed* | 5.76 Mbps (with firmware upgrade in March) | |
| Additional features | Built-in MicroSD card slot | |
| Billion 3G router compatible | TBD | |
| Network compatibility | 3 Mobile, T-Mobile, O2, Orange, Vodafone | |
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | |
| Download Specification | ||
| Price + VAT Price inc VAT | + delivery | |
| £119.99 £143.99 | |
|
| Stock 10+ | ||
 |
||
| Specification: | Supplied SIM Free (no contract) | |
| Modem Type | 3G USB Modem Stick | |
| Manufacturer | Huawei | |
| Model | E156 | |
| Technology | HSDPA | |
| Maximum download speed* | 3.6 Mbps | |
| Maximum upload speed* | 384 Kbps | |
| Additional features | Built-in MicroSD card slot | |
| Network compatibility | 3 Mobile, T-Mobile, O2, Orange, Vodafone | |
| Billion 3G router compatible | √ | |
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | |
| Price + VAT Price inc VAT | + delivery | |
| £69.00 £82.80 | |
|
| Stock Discontinued | ||
 |
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| Specification: | Supplied SIM Free (no contract) | |
| Modem Type | 3G USB Modem Stick | |
| Manufacturer | Huawei | |
| Model | E1750 | |
| Technology | HSDPA / HSUPA 2100MHz | |
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | |
| Maximum upload speed* | 5.76 Mbps | |
| Additional features | Built-in MicroSD card slot | |
| Network compatibility | 3 Mobile, T-Mobile, O2, Orange, Vodafone | |
| Billion 3G router compatible | No | |
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | |
| Price + VAT Price inc VAT | + delivery | |
| £79.99 £95.99 | |
|
| Stock 0 | ||
 |
||
| Specification: | Supplied SIM Free (no contract) | |
| Modem Type | 3G USB Modem | |
| Manufacturer | Option | |
| Model | ICON 225 | |
| Technology | HSDPA | |
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | |
| Maximum upload speed* | 384 Kbps | |
| Network compatibility | 3 Mobile, T-Mobile, O2, Orange, Vodafone | |
| Billion 3G router compatible | √ | |
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Mac OS X | |
| Download Specification | ||
| Price + VAT Price inc VAT | + delivery | |
| £84.99 £101.99 | |
|
| Stock EOL | ||
 |
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| Specification: | Supplied SIM Free (no contract) | |
| Modem Type | 3G USB Stick | |
| Manufacturer | Nokia | |
| Model | CS-10 | |
| Technology | HSDPA / HSUPA | |
| Maximum download speed* | 7.2 Mbps | |
| Maximum upload speed* | 2.1 Mbps | |
| Network compatibility | 3 Mobile, T-Mobile, O2, Orange, Vodafone | |
| Billion 3G router compatible | X | |
| Operating Systems Supported | Windows 2K, XP, Vista, Mac OS X, Linux 2.6 | |
| Download Specification | ||
| Price + VAT Price inc VAT | + delivery | |
| £79.99 £95.99 | |
|
| Stock 0 | ||
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