Netbook broadband bundle face-off

All the major UK phone networks have jumped on the netbook bandwagon and now offer the cheapo laptops as part of mobile-broadband bundles. Larger laptops are available from most providers in similar deals, but netbooks have always been pitched as ideal for mobile broadband, due to their light weight and small size.

CNET UK's sister site ZDNET UK has written an excellent feature showing which netbooks are being offered by which operators, and on which terms. The common thread is that every deal is based on a 24-month contract. Here's the short story:

O2 is offering the Samsung NC10 on a 24-month contract with a 3GB data cap for £29.38 per month, or 10GB for £39.15.

T-Mobile submits the Asus Eee 904HD for your delectation at £25 per month on a 3GB 'fair use' policy.

Vodafone has opted for the Dell Inspiron Mini 9 for £25 per month for a measly 1GB cap, or £30 for 3GB. Brutally, going over the allowance will incur an added cost of £15 per gigabyte.

3 is offering HP's Compaq Mini 700 with a gigabyte of monthly data at £20 per month, 5GB at £25 per month and 15GB at £40 per month.

Orange gives you a choice between the HP Compaq Mini 700, at £29.36 per month with a 3GB monthly data allowance, or the Eee 901 at £24.47 per month with the same data allowance. For more, check out ZDNet UK's feature.