The Cheapest Way To "Give" Internet?

Jakg

Ok - sounds like a stupid question, but meh!

Basically - A girl I know isn't that well of. Her mother who she lives with during the week can't afford the internet, and from what i've heard seems to owe her current ISP a lot of money so she can't take out another contract either. Her Dad, who she lives with at the weekends, has internet - but is on the verge of being made bankrupt.

She can obviously use the internet at School, but I feel quite sorry for her not being able to use the internet for her homework / Facebook / talking to me (:P) etc. She's 15, and doesn't have a job or any way of getting to a job as her Mum doesn't drive, so she wouldn't be able to pay much for anything...

I was looking to "give" her internet for her birthday soon - obviously any ADSL / Cable is out of the question at £10+ PM, however I think she lives in a 3G area - which means things like the Three 12GB pack might work.

Now for my next question - whats the cheapest way to get mobile broadband? I know it's not fast, and the usage limits are low, but still - I was looking at either a second hand 3G xxGB pre-paid dongle (you get no refund rights on them - so if they don't work in your area most people sell them on eBay after only ever using a few MB) or going down the iPhone SIM method - which involves getting an O2 Dongle, then putting an iPhone SIM in it. This should be cheaper, but i'm not quite sure of how long it works for or any data limits.

Any other ideas?

seadee

What is an iPhone SIM?

Never heard of such a thing.

There is a thread on here about 3 giving out free dongles - have a search for that

RobTang

I believe three are have an offer on dongles atm, just pay postage and top-ups http://www.3dongle4free.co.uk

And I also think quidco are still giving £40 cash back on o2 mobile broadband. (£30 for dongle + top up £15 in first 2 months)

IF she has a phone that supports HSDPA you can get a mobile broadband sim and use the phone as a modem (normally)

its worth noting that mobile broadband overall will cost more and be less reliable then a normal connection, unless you keep your usage very low

ps O2 have been known to block iphone payg sims if you dont use them in an iphone, a mobile broadband sim from any provided is probably better anyway.

Jakg

The "free" dongle still needs credit though - for 12 months of internet use it will cost £120 - PC World do the 12GB Packs for £97 something anyway...

EDIT - Just to re-iterate - £10 PM is still too much so "normal" PAYG mobile broadband is out of the question.

basmic

To be honest, I think you're looking for a free luxury. Face the facts - luxuries come at a price.

i8change

The government are rolling out this scheme for all households with schoolchildren and an income of 15,500 or less.

http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/government-free-broadband-for-all-released-scheme-221008.html

http://www.computing.co.uk/computing/news/2228774/first-stage-government-learning

It may cover her situation and mean the mobile internet would only have to be a temporary stopgap.

Ken68

You don't say your age Jak. If very much older than the girl, questionmarks.

seadee

Ken68 wrote: »

You don't say your age Jak. If very much older than the girl, questionmarks.

Bit of a jump there - maybe Jak is just trying to be nice?

Jakg

Ken68 wrote: »

You don't say your age Jak. If very much older than the girl, questionmarks.

LOL

http://www.hotukdeals.com/item/402034/the-cheapest-way-to-give-internet

Had the same in that thread

I'm 17, aka upper 6th. She's in year 11, although has just left.

Nice to know what people think, though :P

basmic

Ken68 wrote: »

You don't say your age Jak. If very much older than the girl, questionmarks.

I daresay everybody has the same train of thought as you.

robt_2

Ken68 wrote: »

You don't say your age Jak. If very much older than the girl, questionmarks.

I thought this was the Techie Forum, not the 'make moral judgements based on what the media feed us' forum

I assume you had no advice to offer as none was in your post.

OP - how much are you wanting to spend as a maximum?