A new survey by a leading UK broadband website has found that a significant number of consumers choose their mobile broadband deals based upon the added extras that are included. This means that less emphasis is being placed on the speed or the data allowance of a given package.

30 per cent of respondents to a survey said that inclusions such as free laptops or USB dongles were the most important factor that would help in determining which mobile broadband package was right for them.

More than 1000 people participated in the survey and it emerged that 25 per cent privileged the download speeds of a mobile broadband package above all else, whilst only 20 per cent were actually looking for the cheapest mobile broadband in UK networks’ line ups.

This survey shows that the free laptop deals are performing particularly strongly in the current market and for consumers this means that they are getting good prices as well as excellent added extras with the average package.

However, some experts believe that the news will vex mobile broadband providers in the UK, as competition in the domestic market has already resulted in the UK having cheaper mobile broadband tariffs than anywhere else in the EU. Consumers are used to getting freebies with their mobile contracts and the same expectation has been carried across to the mobile broadband industry.

Some providers have not taken to offering free laptops as keenly as others, but the growth in demand for such deals is clearly not going to slow down in the near future.

Simple Broadband’s Communications Manager Simon Gerrard added that “This survey shows that consumers in the UK are always on the hunt for a bargain and they realise that there are some great deals to be had on the mobile broadband market at the moment. We can only hope that this trend continues.”

New information suggests that the current range of mobile broadband bundles that include a free laptop computer as part of the package could soon be improved when the latest laptop technology is added by mobile broadband providers.

At the moment there is a wide selection of technology on offer, with small netbooks with basic hardware sitting alongside full sized notebooks sporting dual core processors and multimedia capabilities. These deals, which are aimed at those looking to get online from scratch, are gaining popularity amongst mobile broadband customers from all walks of life.

However, at present, the majority of mobile broadband deals that include free laptops require the addition of a separate mobile broadband dongle which must be plugged into the laptop to access the internet. Once the new range of laptops is made available, this could all change.

Experts predict that mobile broadband providers will begin to offer free laptops which come with the 3G mobile broadband modem built into the body of the device, which eliminates the need for a separate mobile broadband dongle. This will be supported by other traditional connectivity options such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and will vary depending on the manufacturer and network you choose.

The inclusion of 3G connectivity with new laptops is seen by some as a sign that computer manufacturers are buying into the mobile broadband phenomenon and are anticipating continued growth within the industry that gives these new laptops a unique selling point.

If you are looking to compare wireless broadband prices in the next few months you could see a shift in the type of laptops that are being bundled with mobile broadband deals if these predictions are realised. Most providers are constantly updating their range of free laptops in order to remain competitive, so there is a high possibility of this occurring.

The Ford motor company has produced a new and unique system for its range of future vehicles which integrates mobile broadband to create a broadband connection for drivers wherever they roam.

The SYNC system is one of the most advanced communications systems as yet to be installed in a car, capable of using a 3G mobile broadband receiver to connect the vehicle to the internet. In addition the SYNC system will broadcast a Wi-Fi signal, producing a wireless hotspot on wheels.

Obvious applications of mobile broadband whilst driving include the ability to receive live traffic updates, as well as accessing entertainment functions including music and video streaming to keep the driver informed and the kids happy.

The mobile broadband connection will also allow the driver to make voice calls without needing a mobile phone with them and when stationary they should also be able to browse the internet, check emails and even instant message.

The SYNC system has avoided the one major pitfall which it could have faced by allowing users to plug in their own mobile broadband dongles to get connected, rather than tethering them to a single provider with an expensive built-in connection.

Ford President Mark Fields spoke of the conveniences that the SYNC system would offer. He gave the example of a family driving to a grandparents house, with one parent at the wheel whilst the other shopped online for the groceries and the kids were kept busy by talking to their pals online.

The SYNC system will be made available to customers in the US purchasing new vehicles some time in 2010, although news of its migration to the UK is not yet forthcoming.

Simple Broadband’s Communications Manager Simon Gerrard added “this is a very interesting development from Ford and once SYNC is available in the UK, we should expect that a Vodafone mobile broadband USB dongle could be used to get online whilst on the road.”

It may have surprised some industry observers that connection ‘management’ has not been a bigger part of mobile broadband up until now, but 3 has taken the plunge and announced restrictions during peak periods for its mobile broadband customers starting from November 16th.

Official sources have revealed that peer to peer networking will be the only online facility managed under the new rules. Although there are no figures relating to the number of mobile broadband users who download files using P2P networks, the number must be significant enough to warrant the enforcement of such limitations.

It is understood that only the most congested mobile broadband cells will be subject to the limiting of P2P downloads, which means urbanised areas and city centres during peak time will suffer the most. The purpose of the management is to provide a better service to all customers rather than allowing P2P users to consume excessive bandwidth to the detriment of download speeds across the network.

Observers believe that a combination of falling mobile broadband package prices combined with more generous data allowances may be spurring on users to download files via P2P networks. It is also anticipated that many more mobile broadband providers will jump on the connection management bandwagon as mobile broadband use continues to grow. Low package prices in conjunction with deals such as the Orange mobile broadband free laptop could see mobile congestion and peak period throttling becoming more commonplace.

Experts have expressed some doubt as to 3’s plans to manage P2P traffic, explaining that many P2P users will simply switch to other methods such as file sharing sites and VPNs run by businesses to continue to download larger files via mobile broadband. There are also fears that the newly implemented connection management system may have some growing pains to endure before it operates correctly.

It has been announced that Vodafone has joined Orange and O2 as a reseller of the universally adored iPhone. The UK is the only major country which has more than one network offering the iPhone and, while the exact terms are not known, this newly created competitive market must only be good news for the consumer.