Cheapest way to use mobile as dial up modem to connect to PDA

Arandorastar

I am with Vodafone and hen away from home use my Sony Ericsson T610i paired via bluetooth with my HP Ipaq 2210 PDA to get at my Email and browse the internet on my PDA. The internet connection is GPRS (not WAP). The phone is used as a dial up modem and I am charged for the amount of kbs downloaded when connected and this counts against my monthly Text bundle, which is currently a meagre 50 texts per month. I recently renegotiated with Vodafone for a new contract with a Free SE K750i but still with same text bundle - on the basis that Vodafone told me that K750i old use them more effectively. What a laugh!! First of all after 14 days continuous efforts and toing and froing with Vodafone and SE I couldn't get an internet connection at all so back the phone went and contract reverted to old one (or nearest to it). Secondly if it had connected the charges would have been the same. (Vodafone call centre staff are hopeless with "unusual" requests as are their technical staff .)
Anyone know of a different and cheaper way of doing this, not necessarily with Vodafone as I am looking for a new contract with cheapest and BEST and RELIABLE provider.

eco21

I know its not Vodafone, but Orange do unlimted GPRS on a PAYG sim card for £1 a day, maybe useful if you are going away then use this to access email etc.

BarGin

eco21 wrote:

I know its not Vodafone, but Orange do unlimted GPRS on a PAYG sim card for £1 a day, maybe useful if you are going away then use this to access email etc.

Is that any Orange sim and does it need an addon or do they just charge you £1 for the day every time you connect to gprs?

BarGin

seaniboy

Any orange PAYG, you dial 450 and buy an unlimited orange world "extra" for one days unlimited browsing for £1

I used to do this on my o2 contract at a cost of about £50 a month, and that was minimal browsing, Orange unlimited me and if I top up £50 they give me £25 back the following month so I get 2 1/2 months full web access for £75, in fact the EXTRAS are so good dont upgrade voda if they are suitable thats what I be doing come end of my o2 contract


http://www.orange.co.uk/service_plans/payasyougo/extra_costs.html

Huib_2

Hi Seaniboy,

Do you know whether this £1.- GPRS bundle works abroad also, e.g. Europe?

Thanks

Huib

seaniboy

dont think so, think its roaming charges then

seaniboy

Orange World Access Daily 1. Orange World Access Daily provides up to one day's unlimited browsing for £1. 2. Orange World Access Daily can only be used in the UK. Any GPRS or CSD use outside of the UK will be charged at the relevant current international rates. 3. Orange World Access Daily is not available on 3G phones. 4. The Orange Extras terms and conditions also apply. These should be viewed at www.orange.co.uk or a copy is available from your local Orange shop.

seaniboy

use orange in UK, for roaming access..........

24 months airtime agreement
ZERO line rental for months 1-12
£2 per month per month from month 13 onwards

http://www.scancom.co.uk/product.php/127/29/

so your £24 for 2 years and whatever your usage on top for roaming abroad, perhaps you could even bill work

seaniboy

PS) use firefox on your laptop, pages load quicker when using a mobile connection in my experience

seaniboy

http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Page_BOS_MainContent&pageID=GM_0142

vodafone data roaming info

2ax

I haven't used GPRS, and don't have much idea on charges, but I have read that Virgin charge the same tariff for roaming as at home.