Three to offer 21Mbit/s mobile broadband dongle

Mobile network operator Three is to start offering a new dongle that provides 3G laptop connections of up to 21Mbit/s, in a move that could have huge benefits for mobile workers.

The E367 dongle from Huawei will be available from 7 April, offering a combination of new technology and design that provides vastly improved speeds, according to a blog post by David Kerrigan, head of mobile broadband at Three.

"The dongle comes with the latest HSPA+ technology to give it greater network performance and a new rotating head which allows it to point vertically upwards instead of sideways allowing it to grab hold of our 3G network more easily," he said.

"The rotating head, coupled with a new chipset, has meant that in our own speed tests we've seen the premium dongle deliver speeds up to 40 per cent faster than some of our older models."

The device costs £59.99 for pay-as-you-go customers and contract customers not eligible for upgrades, while those eligible for an upgrade can call Three to find out the cost and order the gadget ahead of release.

Matt Halfin, marketing manager and head of mobile broadband propositions at Three, hinted in a video demonstration that the firm will roll out improvements to its network during the year.

"It's also got HSPA+ which means you'll get even faster speed as our next wave of network upgrades kick in," he said.

This echoes similar comments Halfin made to V3.co.uk when we spoke to him at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February.