Vodafone UK will be launching the Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem, a new version of its 3G broadband data card designed especially for users of the latest generation of laptops, desktops and Apple MacBooks, later this year.

The device, which will be available in the autumn, will allow customers to access Vodafone’s high speed 3G broadband service by simply plugging it into the USB slot on their computer.

Vodafone says the company has introduced the new device in response to the demand for 3G broadband from users of the latest generation of laptops. This is due to the fact that many newer laptops only have smaller ExpressCard rather than traditional PC card slots. The new Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem ensures that Vodafone customers are able to access 3G broadband services regardless of their choice of computer.

Customers using the Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem will be able to benefit from download speeds of around 1.4Mbps and upload speeds of up to 384 Kbps, across Vodafone’s growing 3G broadband footprint, based on HSDPA. The service is also available in a number of other countries worldwide.

When outside of HSDPA coverage, customers will automatically be able to access the web using Vodafone’s existing UMTS (WCDMA) and GPRS services.