Mobile broadband in caravan - can anyone advise?

Steph998

I hope someone can help.

I need internet access in my caravan. We use it occasional weekends in the summer, in local areas, and two weeks in summer in Lakes/Scarbro etc.

We currently pay Orange 19.99 per month for wireless and talk, and they have offered to change it to Home and Mobile for approx 28.00pm. This would mean paying 12.62 for mobile broadband every month which I might only use once or twice. Also, I am not 100% sure that the areas we would be going would get Orange broadband. We would also lose our free local 01 and 02 numbers through the livebox which I use all the time.

Would I be better off buying a one off dongle device - and doing pay as you go? The only one off dongle I have seen is by T Mobile for about 50, then you pay as you go for minutes. This is probably very expensive, and apparently their coverage is not so good. Obviously I would hate to buy it and then not be able to connect.

We also have the option to upgrade our business phone to a blackberry....but I know nothing about these (off to google) so could I forget the laptop and acess the internet from it through my mobile phone contract?

Sorry to sound so thick...

Any other caravanners, and what do you do?

Any advice most gratefully appreciated.

Nigella_2

3mobile do P.A.Y.G dongles. http://www.three.co.uk/Home

Not sure if your caravan would affect the signal though.

Do a search on the areas you think you are visiting for signal (lake hills/mountains could affect the signal)

There are pocket surfers too http://pocketsurfer.co.uk/ that include some time on the web.

d123

If you only intend to use it a few times a year the Vodafone TopUp and Go dongle would be the best, it costs £39 for the dongle and the first 1GB data. Further 1GB data packs cost £15 and have no expiry, unlike 3 or T-Mobile who expire after 30 days.


http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband-plans/top-up-and-go-1gb

Steph998

Thanks so much. That Vodafone one looks a good deal....and they have quite good coverage don't they...? Off to check the coverage in the post code areas we go to.

Really appreciate the help. Thanks

Karinalou_2

You can get a 3 dongle for 8.51 per month. This includes 1GB of data a month. Tariff is called broadband lite. If you are wary of coverage with a 3G dongle/data stick I would recommend the 3 network. Of all UK networks it has the most advanced 3G coverage (as this is what it specialises in) The other networks are catching up now as they can see that they future with mobiles is in data products and are now heavily investing in their 3G networks.

I would not recommend a blackberry just for the use you are after. The whole point of blackberry is for email on the move. Your emails are 'pushed' through quickly however internet browsing tends to be slow at times.

By the way, I do not work for 3 but do work for a mobile phone company who sell all networks.

Hope this helps

Steph998

Unfortunately, Vodafone coverage isn't great for the four postcodes I tried...only one showed red, indicating broadband coverage...the others were all blue (phone only).

Ho hum.

Steph998

Off to look at 3! Thanks Karinalou.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

Steph998 wrote: »

Off to look at 3! Thanks Karinalou.

If its anywhere rural you are going 3 is likely to have worse coverage than vodafone. In my experience anyway.

Steph998

:j

Just checked 3's coverage, and they indicate it is 'very good' in all four areas!

Do they not do a PAYG option at the mo Karinalou...? Or does that usually work out the same expense anyway?

Thanks again

Steph998

1984ReturnsForReal wrote: »

If its anywhere rural you are going 3 is likely to have worse coverage than vodafone. In my experience anyway.

Oh. That's my bubble burst then

No opposite emoticon to the jumping smilie!

d123

Steph998 wrote: »

:j

Just checked 3's coverage, and they indicate it is 'very good' in all four areas!

Do they not do a PAYG option at the mo Karinalou...? Or does that usually work out the same expense anyway?

Thanks again

3 do a payg dongle, it is around £30 for the dongle and then every 1GB costs £10 and lasts for 30 days. Check http://www.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/Pay_As_You_Go for the details.