T-Mobile mobile broadband customers receive the least financial punishment for exceeding their download limit, according to new research.
Dongle customers, perhaps with a Dell Mini Laptop or MacBook, are not charged for exceeding their limit as with other providers but are advised about a more suitable plan, a survey by moneysupermarket.com shows.
O2 customers are liable to receive the highest fine – £200.70 per GB – while 3 and Vodafone customers receive charges of £102.40 and £15 per GB respectively.
The poll also reveals that three in four mobile broadband customers (78 per cent) are at risk of incurring these charges.
Dongle users tend to be more at risk than fixed line customers of exceeding their limit, according to manager of mobiles and broadband James Parker.
He said: "Whilst the portability is great, users need to be aware that dongles are most suitable for light users, fixed line is a better value option for heavy users.
"Whether you download through a dongle or a fixed line you must be aware of any limits."
Alastair Davidson, director of strategy, marketing and business development at Arqiva recently suggested that wireless broadband should play a larger part in meeting the government’s Digital Britain expectations.