TruConnect Mobile has introduced a low-cost 3G laptop and iPad data service that enables in the US to pay only for the megabytes they actually use in addition to a $4.99 monthly access fee. The company says the service is ideal for users who need to be connected when out of the office, but don’t want to pay high data plan rates for occasional use.

In addition to the monthly access fee, users pay for the data they use at $0.39 cents per Megabyte. In addition, the $4.99 access fee can be suspended at no charge if the service isn’t needed for a long period of time. There are no contracts, no activation fees, no monthly bills, no bundled data plans, no expiration of data and no overage charges.

The service runs on the Sprint nationwide network, which covers 97 per cent of the US, and is available using either a USB dongle or MiFi device that wirelessly connects up to five PCs, iPads or other wi-fi-enabled devices.

TruConnect says the service can save the average businessperson up to $600 over a standard two-year contract with major carriers, depending on their usage patterns.