Cheapest Way to Get Mobile Broadband?

Dopple

About 6 months ago I bought a starter pack on the Three network.
I got the dongle and 12GB, valid for 1 year.

I'm only using it for the a bit of surfing and emailing, and have only used 2GB in 6 months, so I don't think it will be worth paying £10 a month once my 12 months starter is finished.

I wondered if there was a cheaper way for a light user?
Prehaps using a sim that is meant for mobile phone internet that has a data allowance of 250 to 500mb per month?
Would they work in a dongle?

paceinternet

Vodaphone may have the best answer with Top Up and Go at £15 per Gb valid for 180 days.
It will be interesting to see if you get some alternatives to this.

I'm surprised there isn't a better package for people who want some internet connectivity on their phone, and some netbook type of use as well when away from home or office. Only small amounts of data may be needed if you have a landline broadband connection as well.

PlutoinCapricorn

I bought a 12gb prepaid 3G dongle myself to share between my two laptops last September. This is my only means of getting Internet access. I am not sure exactly how much I have left but I know that browsing and emailing and downloading documents for my work keep me comfortably within the allowance.

I am delighted with this way of getting internet access without a subscription, direct debit or contract. I will probably get another prepaid 12gb when my allowance runs out, perhaps the price will have dropped by then. Apparently it is possible to buy just the SIM, which will bring the price per month down even further.

paceinternet

How weird are the "three" PAYG plans?
I didn't see the Ready-to-go page, and the recommend a plan page doesn't suggest them at all:
http://www.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/Ready_to_go_Mobile_Broadband
3gb valid 3 months £58.71
12gb valid 12 months £97.86
24gb valid 24 months £244.67

Then it suggests when you have used your data that you "buy a top up, and convert it to any of the Pay As You Go add-ons". These are rather discreetly worded on the same page, so I guess you would then buy another 12gb ready-to-go pay as you go add-on package if it is still around.
But these are different to the PAYG page where they are all priced per 30 days, so you would be back to a monthly plan if you went with this.

PlutoinCapricorn

Yes, "Ready to go" is how 3 are promoting these dongles at the moment.

Their page layout, prices and offers seem to change a lot. They seem to have stopped using the word 'prepaid' now. If you are able to get to a 3 shop, they often have a stand with the 3 or 6 month versions, and you can ask for the 12gb - that is what I did after first seeing the details on 3's website last September.

All this time, there has been no monthly fixed allowance to exceed, and no top-ups or add-ons to deal with. These things seem to have caused trouble and expense to many users, but they relate to PAYG only.

As for what to do when the allowance runs out or the end date is reached, I plan to get another dongle/SIM. Apparently if you ask for another 12BG SIM they will sell you one: after all, they sold me the dongle and the SIM in two separate boxes last year. There is also eBay ...