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.

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.

For anyone considering making mobile broadband part of a Christmas present, the news that Vodafone has unleashed a new laptop on its pay monthly packages will be most welcome. There is nothing to pay up front and the bundle includes a free laptop and free Vodafone mobile broadband USB dongle to get users online wherever they are. You will need to commit to a 24 month contract, but the specifications of the new laptop make this an attractive package.

Unlike other free laptop deals, the Compaq Presario CQ60 which is included is not a lightweight, low-powered netbook. With a large 15.9 inch high resolution screen, a powerful processor, 2GB of RAM and Windows Vista pre-installed it will be able to deal with all of the latest software and tasks that you could reasonably require of it. There is even a limited subscription to a security software suite included, as well as 60 days access to Microsoft Office straight out of the box.

As you might imagine, the CQ60 is far from feather light; indeed at nearly 3KG it could give you quite a workout if you are going to lug it around all day, but that is the price you invariably pay for a more powerful and versatile system. A DVD writer and a built-in card reader round off the package, making it ideal for multimedia playback and image storage on the 250GB hard drive.

The CQ60 may come with built in wireless connectivity, but you will still need to plug in the Vodafone mobile broadband USB dongle if you want to connect to the mobile broadband network. Current Vodafone customers will be able to take advantage of a lower monthly cost than new customers, which means that if you have a Vodafone mobile contract or an existing mobile broadband deal with the company then this offer becomes even more appealing.

The increasingly popular route to getting your hands on a free or cheap laptop by signing up for a mobile broadband contract has got 2 additional options thanks to O2 Mobile.

The maths for these mobile broadband and laptop offers is interesting. The monthly costs for a contract with a laptop is higher than a ’standard’ contract and it does require a two year commitment. However, the incremental charge can be of the order of £250 over the term of the contract (although it can be more, so do the sums) – £250 or so for a laptop is a not a bad price but its notional cost being spread over the course of 24 months is what makes these offers rather attractive.

The latest deal from O2 mobile broadband is for either an Asus 1005H laptop or a Samsung R519 laptop with a 24 month contract – whichever option you go for there is a £29.38 charge for the laptop. The monthly charge is then £24.48 (3Gb download limit) or £34.36 (10Gb) for the Asus 1005H and £34.26 (3Gb) or £44.05 (10Gb) for the Samsung R519.

These types of mobile broadband and laptop offers are becoming more widespread and will appeal to a wide range of mobile broadband customers but particularly those who wish to avoid the upfront costs of a laptop. Students are a clear target here but in times or recession where poor cash flow affects many people these deals will have wider appeal.

Sign up to a mobile broadband deal with Orange and get a free laptop! A selection of laptops are available, they are either free or very cheap depending on the package which you choose. For example, a Samsung N310 with Orange 5Gb mobile broadband on a 24 month contract would be free!

Click here to find out more about the Orange Free Laptop Offer.

If you do not want a long contract there are many other options with short contracts on our mobile broadband comparison table.