Best value overseas 3G broadband access?

itm2

I'd like to use 3G or GPRS internet access on my next European holiday, and was wondering whether anyone could recommend any good deals for PAYG access while overseas?

sporedude

Errr most UK contract + PAYG charge alot for overseas internet, think it can be as much as £1.50 per MB of data in most european countries.

redux

If it's any amount of significant use, don't even think of roaming.

You'd need to look at arrangements using local SIM cards. Like here, mobile broadband or internet via mobile bundles are springing up all the time, from a few euros a month.

Unfortunately, I'm not yet aware of any lists or comparisons of all products available, so some study of local network websites would be needed, or take advice in phone shops when you get there (though you won't get a comparison from tied shops)

herbertthehelper

redux wrote: »

If it's any amount of significant use, don't even think of roaming.

You'd need to look at arrangements using local SIM cards. Like here, mobile broadband or internet via mobile bundles are springing up all the time, from a few euros a month.

Unfortunately, I'm not yet aware of any lists or comparisons of all products available, so some study of local network websites would be needed, or take advice in phone shops when you get there (though you won't get a comparison from tied shops)

Local sims should work in an unlocked dongle though!

benjus

Yes, an unlocked dongle and a local SIM card is the way to go. You may not be able to get SIM cards for the mobile broadband tariffs but you should be able to get a standard SIM (intended for use in a mobile phone) with reasonable data charges, even if the data limits are likely to be rather low.

This site is quite good as basic guide to PAYG mobile operators around the world: http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/operators.html it's not completely up-to-date so looking at the websites of the operators is necessary, but it's a good place to start.

Some examples of PAYG data rates I've looked at recently (not verified and download limits vary):
France - Orange (€9 per month)
Spain - Yoigo (used to be €1.20 per day but might be more for 3G)
Portugal - Uzo (€1 per day)
Italy - Three/Hutchinson 3G Italia (€3 per week or €9 per month)

David333

benjus wrote: »

Yes, an unlocked dongle and a local SIM card is the way to go. You may not be able to get SIM cards for the mobile broadband tariffs but you should be able to get a standard SIM (intended for use in a mobile phone) with reasonable data charges, even if the data limits are likely to be rather low.

This site is quite good as basic guide to PAYG mobile operators around the world: http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/operators.html it's not completely up-to-date so looking at the websites of the operators is necessary, but it's a good place to start.

Some examples of PAYG data rates I've looked at recently (not verified and download limits vary):
France - Orange (€9 per month)
Spain - Yoigo (used to be €1.20 per day but might be more for 3G)
Portugal - Uzo (€1 per day)
Italy - Three/Hutchinson 3G Italia (€3 per week or €9 per month)

That looks a really useful website; thanks! I assume that they're cards for mobile phones, not mobile broadband packages, so it'd be a case of sticking one in an unlocked dongle, working out connection settings somehow, and then trying not to use too much data... .

benjus

David333 wrote: »

That looks a really useful website; thanks! I assume that they're cards for mobile phones, not mobile broadband packages, so it'd be a case of sticking one in an unlocked dongle, working out connection settings somehow, and then trying not to use too much data... .

Yes, exactly... the networks don't seem to like selling the broadband tariffs on a SIM-only basis. You might find them on ebay but it's a bit hit-and-miss.

The kind of download limits on the cards I listed above are sufficient for things like checking email and some web surfing, even the odd Skype video call... which is probably enough for most people when overseas.

The connection settings are usually quite easy to find with a google search.