Need advice on mobile broadband please

bhz-2

I have a contract with BT for landline and broadband (BT Option 2) and it will expire within the next few months. I'm happy with the service itself and the antivirus software. I have a small wifi allowance per month.

I need you advice on how to choose the best package (either with one company or more than one). Details as follows:

- I'd like to change to mobile internet. I have a laptop and I'm considering buying a netbook, but I haven't decided about it yet.

- Phone line.

- I have a 'pay once watch forever' Sky package (ie no contract), which is a very basic package but it suits me ok. It might be worth keeping it as it is.

- I have a contract with Virgin mobile, but it will only expire in Nov 2010.

- I'm hoping to buy a new TV after xmas.

Thanks in advance.

PlutoinCapricorn

You need to think about your priorities, your requirements also your typical internet usage.

You mention packages and contracts also being happy with basic Sky

It is possible to get very basic indeed: for example, all I have is prepaid mobile broadband which costs around £5 per month, a cheap PAYG mobile phone, no landline and a TV with Freeview built in. No contracts, no packages, no subscriptions. I give my credit card details to the mobile phone company when topping up, otherwise no Direct Debits or card registration are needed. What I have got meets my requirements and is cheap and simple.

I don't download films or music nor play games, and my 1gb per month allowance is ample. I can live happily without all the TV things that must be paid for, and I would never take out a contract.

bhz-2

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

You need to think about your priorities, your requirements also your typical internet usage.

You mention packages and contracts also being happy with basic Sky

It is possible to get very basic indeed: for example, all I have is prepaid mobile broadband which costs around £5 per month, a cheap PAYG mobile phone, no landline and a TV with Freeview built in. No contracts, no packages, no subscriptions. I give my credit card details to the mobile phone company when topping up, otherwise no Direct Debits or card registration are needed. What I have got meets my requirements and is cheap and simple.

I don't download films or music nor play games, and my 1gb per month allowance is ample. I can live happily without all the TV things that must be paid for, and I would never take out a contract.

I pay £8.50 for my mobile (100 min and 100 texts) and that's enough for me.

I'd like to keep my landline.

I use my computer mostly for e-mails, internet and some photo editing. I don't download films/music, play games or use websites like Facebook. I may download some music in the future, but not a lot.

I rarely watch films online (BBC/Channel 4) because I've had lots of problems with this. Sometimes the image 'freezes' for several minutes, then starts again, and I can't see the film properly. (Can anyone please explain why?? What should I do about it?).

What kind of broadband allowance should I choose?

bhz-2

Any more ideas please?

ciarondunne

Have you looked at the netbook + mobile broadband deals? This could kill two birds with one stone, and generally means you get the netbook "free" up front then pay it off over the life of the contract (bit like a mobile phone contract). Saves on cash up front (although not necessarily in the long run). Depends also on how much you want to download - 3 Mobile tend to have the most generous download limits, but you'll need to make sure coverage is good where you live. I'd definitely warn you off "replacing" fixed line with mobile broadband, unless you really do just use the internet for light stuff - mobile broadband just isn't as good yet (or maybe you live by a 3G mast?),

BexTech

Check Out Plus Net (now owned by BT) if in a competitive area then you can get it for £6 per month, go through cash back site and get some money back too.

Usually works out cheaper than mobile broadband.

PlutoinCapricorn

Most MSE posters say that the 'free laptop' deals are definitely not worth it: they are just bait for an expensive, long term contract and it costs you less to get a netbook and mobile BB separately.

3 are updating their networks now, and I am hoping for an increase in speed.
I agree that mobile bb is not for everyone.

bhz-2

Thanks for all your replies.

I don't think network + mobile broadband deals would suit me because it's more expensive in the long and I'm a light user. I would be nervous about commiting myself to 18 or 24 month contract like that.

Need to check out Plus Net website.