Wireless Broadband Help

The_Bloodster

I am a little confused.

I currently get the free broadband from Orange and was thinking of upgrading to their wireless and was quoted a price of £17 per month. I was told the wireless option would help resolve my reception issues on my mobile.

I was considering this and although I probably can get it cheaper from them and was going to go for it. However..........a friend has said that I don't need to sign up for wireless broadband all I need to do is buy a wireless router and I can get them around £30. Is this true and does anyone know of issues.

I am looking at changing my ageing pc for a lapto so wireless would be a big help. Also occaasionally my son comes round and we could both be on our laptops together really as well. The other thing I want to do is connect to the internet with my Wii so the wireless option is something I want to do

Thanks

macman

By 'wireless broadband' do you mean 'mobile broadband'? Wireless bb means broadband via an ADSL landline but broadcast wirelessly within your home using a wireless router. If you already have broadband vis ADSL you don't need to 'sign up' for wireles bb, you just use a wireless router on your existing connection.
Mobile bb means bb via a dongle on your PC/laptop which conects via the mobile network and does not require a landline.
Not clear how you connect at present, as you refer to 'reception issues on your mobile'?

The_Bloodster

Thanks mate I do actually mean Wireless Broadband at home rather than a dongle. I want my home to have wireless broadband rather than through a modem which I currently have. I was under the illusion that I had to sign up for wireless but that means in effect that I am only signing up to get a "free" wireless router. Looks like I'll be doing it by buying a wireless router that a few people have suggested now.

The other issue I mention is that I've had connection problems with my Orange Mobile Phone and Orange themselves said it might be worth me getting Wireless Broadband from them to help with my mobile phone reception problems. Thinking about it I wonder if they mean paying a one-off £17 for a wireless router............

Looks like I need a Wireless Router now

macman

If you are OOC with Orange then ask them to give you a free router in return for staying with them. New customers get one for free-why shouldn't existing loyal customers?
Sorry but I still don't understand how getting a wireless router is going to help with your mobile phone reception-what is the connection?

The_Bloodster

macman wrote: »

If you are OOC with Orange then ask them to give you a free router in return for staying with them. New customers get one for free-why shouldn't existing loyal customers?
Sorry but I still don't understand how getting a wireless router is going to help with your mobile phone reception-what is the connection?

Hi what's OOC?

I tried phoning Orange and they said they can't give me a free router and its for "New Customers Only" Argued that it is unfair and i've been with them for nearly 3 years on a mobile phone contract - they wouldn't have it. Ah well maybe when I come up for my mobile contract renewal I'll be going elsewhere!!

My mobile is C905 and Orange seem to thing that a wireless router will help boost the signal. My phone gets a signal through GSM and 3G so I don't know if thats the reason and it helps boost the 3G signal.

Think I'll be buying a router as the guy I spoke to who was actually very helpful but said he was restricted and was unable to offer me it. He did speak to customer services and they too said they can't and arent allowed to. They did say they could offer me it at £8 per month because of something to do with it not being an Orange line and they have to pay BT

Need to get a router now

macman

OOC means 'out of contract'. If your Orange BB contract has ended then just tell them that you will be taking your business elsewhere unless they can offer you a better deal-starting with a free router. If CS still can't cut a deal, ask for your MAC code and get through to retentions-they have the authority to improve the deals.
Re a wireless router improving your mobile reception, sorry but either you have misunderstood what Orange have told you, or the guy you were speaking to is clueless. There is no connection. You get your mobile signal via GSM/3G from the nearest Orange mast. You get your BB (once you have a wireless router) down the ADSL phone line and then only from the router to your PC by wireless. This last link is only a few metres and doesn't even work on 3G.
If he has offered you a router at £8 per month (?) then over a year that is £96 which is about twice what it would cost new.
You can pick up a perfectly serviceable wireless router on eBay for £25, something like a Netgear DG834G will do the job. Except it won't improve your mobile reception.

The_Bloodster

Thanks Macman for your help. With regards to the mobile reception I also thought it a bit strange but since he brought it up without me mentioning a wireless router when I was complaining about my poor reception I didn't think about it too much and too be honest I wasn't sure because in effect both signals are wireless.

I am looking at a wireless router not purely because of my mobile reception but because one of my next purchases is going to be a laptop. I know I worked out that at £8 a month I would be getting ripped off. Unfortunately my mobile contract has just recently restarted (Nov) but in theory I could move from their BB as I've been with them for over 18months.

I'll check out that router though as I do know Netgear are good .

Thanks

macman

Any new BB contract on any of the major ISP's will get you a free wireless router. If you want to stay with Orange, Just tell them that you want your MAC and will leave unless they can give you a better deal including a free wireless router (you could say that because of your new laptop you need to work wirelessly).
Or look for a better BB deal elsewhere.

Edinburghlass_2

It seems the person the OP talked to may well be correct about his mobile coverage..

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1577305