Waiting for a dial- up service to connect to the internet is like watching paint dry. However, a landline is not a prerequisite for an online connection anymore. Welcome to the world of mobile broadband. Originally aimed at laptop-friendly business users who move around a lot, the latest communication service can be yours for only £10 a month and is designed to be fast, cheap and convenient. Wireless, portable and charged by the imaginatively named 'dongle', mobile broadband is yet another way to keep in touch, wherever you may be.

Sound too good to be true? Well, it all depends on where you live and how you use the internet. A 3G phone signal is essential for accessing mobile broadband however, despite the fact that this signal is available to 90% of the population, the more remote one's location, the more difficult it is to get a strong signal.

Other considerations include how often and how much you download from the internet. Those who like to download regularly may find landline broadband a cheaper option until mobile broadband downloading prices fall. As it is, most providers offer around 3GB a month for a one off payment, charging more if you exceed this limit. However, if you're not a heavy downloader, mobile broadband could definitely offer you more for less.

And this is only the beginning. Giant service providers such as 3 and T-Mobile hope to provide mobile broadband to 98% of the UK by 2010. In addition, their proposals to double speeds make for a very attractive package, leaving landline and dial-up connections in the shade.

One thing's for sure, if you can't live without the internet and you're always on the go, mobile broadband will revolutionise your working relations and you won't miss a breath.