I installed one of these in a client’s laptop the other day.

It provides access to mobile broadband with download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps.

On the USB stick is the modem part, but also a section dedicated to memory that stores the files required to install the device. It comes with a CD but you only need it for older Operating Systems. For Windows XP/Vista you just plug it in.

The install consists of inserting the supplied SIM card the right way up and plugging into an available USB socket.

The client software installs and you end up with some Vodaphone software that has a nice big “connect” button. It really couldn’t be any easier.

The cost of the modem stick depends on the data plan. The least expensive plan has a 3gb cap on the data £15pm and the modem stick costs £39.

They offer various caps/costs depending on the length of the contract you take out.

The do offer a  Pay as you go Plan but you need to purchase the stick £99 and any month you use it you are charged £20 for a 3gig cap.

The only benefit to such a plan is for example if you only planned using the modem stick a couple of times a year (holidays for example).

The problem with capped systems is knowing how much you have used. Thankfully they offer a note of your data usage on the software dashboard. If you go over your data allowance the cost of per GB is £15.

Link: Vodaphone USB Modem Stick