Dont Be Tied To Your Computer

The current generation of phones are able to download information quickly, GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is now the lowest level of web connection - usually around 25 - 40 Kbps (kilobits per second)

EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution) is the next step up, and at 236Kbps it's much better at streaming video and downloading files.

3G is even faster - the equivalent of a broadband connection in your home. The maximum download on a 3G is 384 Kbps, which effectively let you download a 4.5MB file (about the size of a song in MP3 format) is about 90 seconds, 3G also enables you to make video calls.

Some new phones even feature an upgrade to 3G called HSDPA which gives you more band width, making it even faster. HSUPA (High Speed Uplink Packet Access) is a further enhancement that increases how fast you can upload information.

Another option is to connect to the internet using Wi-Fi. Only a few phones offer this feature, but it's worth looking into as it usually provides faster and cheaper access.