The Dogmother Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Sparked by Dan's thread, I got interested in the prices of mobile internet broadband access 'dongles'. But there's not much information to be found online at the moment. I'd be interested to hear who has one, which provider they're with and what they think. The friend who fixed my home PC might be able to get me a vvv cheap laptop, which would be way better than freezing under the stairs of an evening.. I could sit in front of my stove and be all warm and snuggly while I type Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Im assuming you want wireless internet, the easiest way to do this would to buy a wireless router, plug that into your broadband connection, and there you go, wireless internet (its not as easy as that, but thats the general idea) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 3 are doing internet these days - it works in the same way as internet on your mobile phone does........you just slot the device into your computer and you get internet wherever you are I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Yes I also have one of them too, but they are quite pricey to use*, so if you just want to use the net at home, get a router *Also, the Data Cards (which is like a moblie that connects to you PC) are VERY VERY expensive, £120 from vodafone, and they charge £5 per megabyte you download Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Wireless internet is great - it means I can carry my laptop out in the garden & type all my stuff on the forum whilst watching the chooks! We also have a unit across the road & round the corner, where our business is & our wireless internet works there too! Another way of getting internet on the go is to get an MDA. Ours are from T Mobile & are like mobile phones. Hubby's has a pull out keyboard, mine has a touch screen. We have web & walk on them & I can even get on the forum when on holiday & abroad! Very very good! Wireless is the way to go! Certain pubs & restaurants have free Wifi where you can take your laptop & use the internet. Wetherspoons is free for the 1st half hour! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Humph - I would be happy just to get Broadband Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 Sorry, I should have explained further - it was late and I was tired. Through this friend, I might be able to get a free wireless kit for home (surplus to requirements), and a cheap laptop, thus being able to work where I want at home. Being careful, of course to lock any wireless network down so that people can't piggy-back it. This would be great. But I was reading up about mobile internet access dongles and thought that the idea of being able to use a laptop absolutely anywhere was appealing. So far as I can see it, the prices are tumbling so it could end up being cheaper than having the home internet access and using that instead with a wireless router to beam it round the house, and then take it out when necessary. My mobile tarrif is with Vodafone and I had a quick look on their site last night, but couldn't see any reasonable deals there. My mobile contract is for very low usage because i hardly ever use it, so I don't think that they will be falling over themselves to do me a good deal. Any feedback would be very welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I'm using one at the moment Clare - using Carl's laptop in Anglesey. Brilliant if you are away from home - pricey as Fred says and not the ideal answer for at home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 http://www.three.co.uk/personal/products_services_/mobile_broadband_/index.omp There's the three link - if you aren't going to be using it constantly it might be ok.........otherwise it's probably a very expensive way of doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Thanks for posting this Clare - it looks like a way I might actually be able to get Broadband at my house....................yipee!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 I am very surprised that you can't get it on your regular phone line Sarah. Have you had stern words with BT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Oh yes, more times that I care to recall The whole village is a broadband blackspot as we are too far from the exchange, & as most of the villagers are older or live in rented houses they aren't bothered by the lack of Broadband BT have told us in no uncertain terms that we will NEVER EVER get Broadband at our house. Its hard to campaign on your own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 That is so pants Sarah! Still, you might be able to get a discount on your dongle if you get it from the same provider as your business mobiles - I am sure that they get plenty of money out of you on that contractso it would be worth their while to cut the price a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 I have gone with 3 - its cheaper than Vodaphone,only £3 more than my current dial-up with Tesco at £15 a month, the modem thingy is free & there is a 14 day trial period too. I get 3GB a month, which should be fine I figure I have nothing to lose - might as well give it a go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 Brilliant! There'll be no keeping you of the forum now! Just don't tell the girls that you've upgraded or you'lll never get on the computer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helen&Lee Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Hmmm. Might have to give this a try too - We are in the same position as Cinnamon - we phone up they say yes there is Broadband in your area - we install all the stuff they send us on the computer and wait .. and wait ..until they say no its not available and you are too far away from the junction box for it to be economically viable for you to have it I will show O/H this thread later - with broadband at work now we have realised just how slowww dail up is Mind you mobile signals are a little tricky too..... Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Hasn't one man banned got a mobile connection he used on holiday to access the forum Might be worth a PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Helen & Lee, I will let you know how I get on. At the moment they are out of stock of the moden thingys, so we have one being delivered on the 2nd of october. There aren't any in the 3 shops either Mobile signals can be tricky too, but fingers crossed we should be OK, as the mast is only a little way from us. That said,The Hubby has just told me that 3 offered him a free mobile a year or so ago,saying that there was good coverage here & it didn't work at all. Ho hum - we shall have to wait & see I guess Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 Hasn't one man banned got a mobile connection he used on holiday to access the forum Might be worth a PM. He has Choccy, that's what started me off on this quest. I am hoping that my friend can set me up with a wireless network at home any way as he has a router going free. He should also be able to get me a very cheap laptop, which was what started me on this. The dongle isn't essential if I have a wireless network at home, but it would be the icing on the cake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoid Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Thanks for posting this Clare - it looks like a way I might actually be able to get Broadband at my house....................yipee!!! Sometimes with these data cards, it can be really slow, sometimes slower than dial up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinnamon Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Thanks for letting me know,Fred. I have 14 days trial, so I can see what I think (if it even works) At least with this the girls can pop it into their laptops too, so that would be one bonus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rachel19 Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Well we used on of these when I was in the middle of Africa and it was fine - it was a bit slower than my broadband at home but considering it was pretty much the middle of nowhere i wass pretty impressed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 That's a good recommendation Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
One Man Banned Posted September 17, 2007 Share Posted September 17, 2007 Ok I'll add my 5 pence worth I use T-Mobile for internet access when we're away, I'm using it now as we drive to Cornwall. Its a data card that slots into the side of the laptop (well my old laptop as its a PCMCIA card and the new ones got a smaller socket ) It costs £29 per month on a contract but access is unlimited so it doesn't matter how long I spend online I dont worry about the costs afterwards also you don't have to pay for the Card, or the USB modem. They also offer access via a USB modem, ClareT [i doubt it possible to beam this round the house through a router as it connects to the laptop directly so it'll work anywhere in the house (signal dependant) like using a mobile phone] As for signal strength with T-Mobile check out this link and it lets you know if there is coverage in your area. http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/coverage/street-check/ could be useful for Cinnamon too. Hope this helps, let me know if you want me to look anything up. A xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted September 17, 2007 Author Share Posted September 17, 2007 That's interesting Andrew, thanks. I'll go and have a look at the T Mobile site and see what they have. I'd need to get this laptop from Simon first, then worry about a dongle, but this is very interesting and would be great when we go to Norfolk, although I'm sure that Phil wouldn't appreciate me being logged on while we're away I reckon that if I sit tight for a while, then the prices will tumble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...