Mobile broadband providers are battling it out to win over the student market, as freshers' week approaches.

Several of the main providers are pushing student-friendly offers as the first semester of the year draws near.

Phones 4U has pitted its laptop, mobile and mobile broadband bundle for £45 per month against Orange's tempting £10 per month mobile broadband offer, with all those able to present student ID eligible for the packages.

O2 has also weighed in with an offer of its own, trying to lure university-goers in with the offer of a Blackberry for £35 per month, offering unlimited internet browsing.

Explaining how he thinks the package can compete with the raft of mobile broadband contracts available, O2 marketing manager Paul Taylor told Mobile Today: "We know that the BlackBerry is the perfect device for students - it is the Swiss army knife of products for study and fun, and furthermore at a time when managing your money is more important than ever this is a fantastic deal."

Amy Davies of independent financial advisor Motley Fool recently advised students living alone to consider taking out a mobile broadband contract as supposed to opting for a fixed-line offering.