Until recently, Laptop Internet Access using a mobile phone has been both difficult and costly to arrange. Happily, the UK networks have begun competing with each other in this area in terms of speed, price and allowances.
Three.co.uk introduced a usb modem that allows laptop/pc access to the internet via the 3g network for a mere £10 per month with a monthly limit of 1Gb.
At the same time, other uk networks reduced their costs for datacard/modem access and increased the monthly download limits.
In addition, Three.co.uk also reduced the cost for using your compatible mobile phone as a modem to £10/month and increased its monthly limit to 1Gb.
Whilst 1Gb is not as generous as the 2Gb or more normally expected of a broadband connection, in mobile terms, it is a breakthrough - before these changes, the included downloads for an internet bolt on were measured in 10s of Mb.
Using a mobile phone may not be as fast as a dedicated modem, but with three, mobile access is available as monthly bolt on - meaning that you can add mobile internet access to your account for a few months and then cancel when it is no longer required.
Dedicated usb or datacard access usually requires a 12month or longer commitment.
I was at the point of looking at other networks when news of the cheaper mobile / laptop access started to circulate. It convinced me to stay with the network and I'm glad I did.