How to connect to the internet on your mobile

Accessing the internet on your mobile phone has never been cheaper or easier. If you're looking for a new mobile, you'll find that almost all the latest handsets can connect quickly to the internet.

Connecting to the internet on your mobile is actually very straightforward, however if you're not sure how to make the most of this great phone feature, we've put together this handy guide to help you.

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Get set up

To access the internet on your mobile phone you need:

• a mobile phone that supports internet access
• a mobile phone service that supports data transmission, such as 3G and Wi-Fi
• an account with data settings for accessing an internet server on your phone. Many phones come preloaded with data account settings. If yours does not, you should speak to your service provider.

Using the internet

Many phones come with one-touch internet access; simply hit the web-browser button on your phone and you will connect straight away. This will either be on the main menu screen, or within the Applications menu.

Your internet home page will usually be a web page saved into the phone, most likely a home page for your mobile provider. This will be the page from which you can access all online services from your phone. Of course, you can change this easily from the browser's settings menu.

Usually when you access the internet from your mobile, you will see this page offline and can choose from a list of online services such as:

• Search internet
• Accessories
• Download games
• Download ringtones

You could select any web page to be your home page when you connect, and from here you can access any other internet page as you normally would.

You can also bookmark your favourite web pages in your phone’s browser. Bookmarks mean that you can organise the addresses of your favourite and frequently visit web pages in a handy and easy to manage way.

When connected to the internet on your phone, you can navigate as you would from a PC or a laptop using your mobile's keypad, trackpad, or touchscreen.

Downloading content

Downloading music, ringtones, photos, or videos on your mobile phone works in much the same way as it would from your PC or laptop.

Most mobile phones have dedicated music or media download software which enables you to quickly and easily transfer files between your mobile and your PC or laptop, for example iTunes for Apple iPhones. This software also allows you to transfer music from your computer and CD's onto your phone.

Internet security

Your internet-ready mobile phone should support secure browsing. It’s worth remembering that using certain internet services on your mobile, like banking for example, could require your phone to have security certificates.

Your phone may have all the necessary security certificates when you buy it, however, if it does not, you should contact your service provider. If your phone does require security certificates to allow you to connect to the internet and use certain services, you can often download the certificates straight to your phone, or transfer them from your computer to your mobile just as you would with any other file.