Wireless modem router.

martin_a_kay

Hello there,
New laptop given as a gift but does not have a modem. Will a wireless modem router allow me to connect to a dial-up ISP (0845 number) as this is free. I also like to send faxes from the computer so will it allow me to dial any number? I have wi-fi 802.11 b/g. Before I purchase one trying to determine if they act like a modem and will allow the laptop to dial any number or are they 'linked' to just the recognised ISPs.

sunshine54

the 0845 number used for dial up is not free. it is a payg service billed per minute and painfully slow. get a broadband contract it will probabily work out cheaper. There are email to fax services that don't need a dialer

macman

martin_a_kay wrote: »

Hello there,
New laptop given as a gift but does not have a modem. Will a wireless modem router allow me to connect to a dial-up ISP (0845 number) as this is free. I also like to send faxes from the computer so will it allow me to dial any number? I have wi-fi 802.11 b/g. Before I purchase one trying to determine if they act like a modem and will allow the laptop to dial any number or are they 'linked' to just the recognised ISPs.

No, you would need an old-fashioned dial up modem to connect this way, and you couldn't use it wirelessly. If you work out what you are are spending on PAYG dial up then it will be cheaper to go for broadband, even if it's wireless broadband with a dongle.

mcjordi

dial up...
blooming heck i thought that went ages ago

you can get broadband for £10er a month now

Leopard

If you travel at all – like, out of your own home – and your laptop has no inbuilt modem, it's still wise to buy a USB modem and carry it with you (together with a telephone plug adaptor kit, abroad).

If all you are offered elsewhere is Ethernet – and particularly wi-fi Ethernet - which may or may not be secure, you would be wise to use the modem for things such as banking. I do.