Dongle help pls

UKTigerlily

Hi everyone, well i'm currently with BT for my ISP/landline, but the bill is HUGE & really I only want the internet, not the landline too, but we can't get cable here yet so

Then I came across this Dongle thingy! Am I right in thinking I can buy one, plug it in & regardless of if BT is connected or not it'll allow me to use the net as normal?

By download limit, do they mean music/films etc or things like using Second Life?

I'm wondering if this could be the answer & avoid high bills? Am I right in thinking it's a case of buy one, plug it into the usb & use the net as I already do? I'm not near the exchange here so only get 1MB, would it be faster with Dongle?

Any help appreciated!

Browntoa

you can swap phone, broadband to the post office for a total all in of about £21

Home Phone with Broadband Standard £19.53 , or £24.42 for unlimited

Inclusive evening & weekend calls 2 to UK landlines

Free calls 2 to UK mobiles, and our top 20 international destinations

Inclusive calls 2 to other Home Phone customers 24/7

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump2?catId=68600711&mediaId=58000695

I'm sure you will end up paying that for wireless broadband

UKTigerlily

Browntoa wrote: »

you can swap phone, broadband to the post office for a total all in of about £21

Home Phone with Broadband Standard £19.53 , or £24.42 for unlimited

Inclusive evening & weekend calls 2 to UK landlines

Free calls 2 to UK mobiles, and our top 20 international destinations

Inclusive calls 2 to other Home Phone customers 24/7

http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump2?catId=68600711&mediaId=58000695

I'm sure you will end up paying that for wireless broadband

Problem with that is I couldn't get a MAC code from BT to change suppliers & also calls add up with me if I have a landline, and it'd still be £75 every three months, I think with Dongle if you haven't topped it up ya don't have it, like a mobile PAYG phone?

fordi

UKTigerlily,

I was in exactly the same position as yourself, I refused to pay BT the line rental, so I scoured around for the best info on suppliers etc and heres what I done, honestly, you will not believe how easy it is to set up.
When my friend told me about it I was asking, yes, but what about a modem, not needed was the reply, then what about cables etc, theres no cables, its just a case of plug this wee dongle into a USB port and your off.

I opted for 3mobile, I my opinion the best in terms of being up front about speeds etc also they apparently built up their business and network over the years geared exactly for this.

Pop into 3 or carphone warehouse etc or even Argos and either chose a contract or pay as you go, I opted for pay as you go, it's just more flexible and well easier.
I took the 3 gig option £68 this includes the dongle and the 3 gig of useage.
Which after thats finished I'll probably top up around £10/month. The initial £68 outlay is for the "hardware" ie the "dongle" and 3gig of useage. This 3 gig will probably do me around two months of surfing, but it all depends on what you use the net for ie how many downloads you make etc.

Anyway, heres the great bit, take your new wee dongle home, pop it into a free USB port and sit back for no more than 5 mins as it SELF INSTALLS the software onto your PC, then hey presto your surfing. Yep! as quick and easy as that.

I'm blown away by the fact that I'm getting an even FASTER conection than I did with my old land line.
If you live on top of a mountain then I doubt you'll get a good connection but if you can make a call from a mobile from where your pc is situated then your off....
Dont hesitate, it was the best thing I ever done.

Go to the 3 mobile site where it will show you the coverage and price plans.
You can even input roughly what you use the net for and they will show you an example of what price plan to go for.
I went for 3mobile as they are the ones leading the way in this, also a techie friend put me straight on whats what.

ps. your dongle is portable so I you can use it anywhere and on any pc or laptop ie if you have a pc and lap top then simply install the software on both and your free to surf anywhere!

I'll be interested to hear your reply if you decide to go for it.

superjaggybunnet

Wow! What a sales pitch!

mymatebob

More info here - and not just on 3

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/cheap-mobile-broadband#cheapest

fordi

superjaggybunnet wrote: »

Wow! What a sales pitch!

Indeed, and I dont have any affiliation in anyway with 3, now I've read it again it is a bit ott, however, I've been suitably impressed.

It really is all down to ones opinion, it could well change if I start getting issues, then they'll be the worst.

I should stress that the MAIN point is..mobile broadband from any of the suppliers out there is a great way to get online, not only that, but it is as simple as plugging a wee dongle into a USB port and your off, not only that and heres the great bit, you avoid being held to "ramson" by BT and line rental.
And if you choose PAYG then you only use what you've paid for, that is if your keeping tabs on ones budget.

Merlinexcalibur

As someone's mentioned - 3. I am on 3 Mobile Broadband. Have been since December. All I can say is it's brilliant for people who are having the usual problems with their internet providers who refuse to give a MAC code. The downside, it doesn't always work. Depends where you live eg on flat ground, up a hillside like I do for example.

This came from a 3 store rep but I wouldn't go for the PAYG. They weren't very exemplary about it and what a, erm, bit of a whatsit it was for what it costs. So, I applied through Carphone Warehouse - don't let them sell you the insurance, which is useless, they will pressure sell it to you - and 2 days later was back online again. I pay £15 a month for 5 gb. If you aren't a high user/but not a low one I'd opt for that because the 3gb will be gone. Now, it means I can't surf 24/7 as before so it does mean I ration my online time per day. But, right now, I have used almost 12 MB and been online 2 hours. It does change throughout the day, though. Especially at peek times. And depends what you are doing and which sites you are looking at I've found.

And, yes, it is faster than what I had before. And I only get 3 bars on 3G or normal 3 network. It's on one bar right now and is still faster than the alleged 'superfast' broadband I had before. Just remember to take the dongle out after use! So I don't forget I have it plugged in with the cable not direct to the USB. Because I will forget it's there. This way I can see it and know I have to remove it when it's time.

Oh, it doesn't have a MAC code, either. You can check this in your PC DOS or on the dongle itself or MY ACCOUNT somewhere. So, if you do choose PAYG, no messing about with MACs.

Literally, as already said by someone, it's plug and play. No cables, no fuss. As simple as plugging it in. Off you go. And no passwords, nor email usernames to enter.

I was very impressed with it because my main concern was I'd get it, being so near to Xmas, and then have weeks of hassle cancelling a contract. Didn't. Before I did get this I was back on dial-up. My God. Talk about slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. And the cost.

Merlinexcalibur

Oh, the other thing I meant to mention. If you do anything like downloading from Torrents, or anything similar. Don't. It'll wipe out your entirely monthly usage in one go. If it's a movie for example. You can keep using it, but 3 will charge you 10p per kps and add it to your bill. Apart from that I am really impressed with it.

black_paw

my sister in law wants a dongle ! we have been told 3 is the best for her , there is coverage at post code they said in shop " good 3G " but worried to go a head as they live on hill looking down valley . what if there is no signal ... wasted money ?? as it a lot of money to pay out . o not sure what to do now .

Peter999_2

Do you know anybody with a 3 phone?, you could get them to go round to your SIL's house and see what 3g signal they get.