where do i start with phone/internet??

clutterydrawer

Hello

I've always had housemates who dealt with utilities providers for me but I'm about to move into my own place and I really don't know where to start with connecting the phone and internet.

I just want to be able to access the internet and make occasional evening phone calls to non local landlines.

How do I work out what is best value, and are there other things than cost which I should take into account? I have a feeling some of my friends get internet with their mobile contract - could this be cheaper?

I know there's a lot of variables involved but I wondered if I could have some pointers as I really am totally clueless. thanks

neildwattam

If your not a heavy internet user, ie download movies, music etc etc. And are happy with just general surfing the internet, it will be a lot cheaper go with a USB Broadband package ranging from £10+ depending on the network.

And then pickup a relitivly cheap payasyougo package for your phone calls, if you dont already have a mobile phone.

Im_just_careful

A few more facts are needed before an answer is available.

1) Is there a phone line already where you are going to or would you have to pay the install cost ?

2) Is there cable TV available, they can be good value for internet only ?

3) For absolute minimum initial cost a PAYG "mobile broadband" might be best. However ideally get someone else to try one in your location before buying one and get the one you have seen work well. There is no "best" network there is only good and bad coverage in your location.

4) Is there someone else there who might be willing to share a wireless connection in return for a contribution towards the cost ?

clutterydrawer

thankyou both

Are there comparison sites for this USB broadband thingy? What happens with a download limit - if you exceed it do you get billed extra, or will it just refuse to download more than your limit?

I'm just careful (love your username )

- there's one installed already
- no tv at all - I don't use it so decided to dispense with the licence cost
- that's useful advice, I live in a rural area with dubious signal capabilities so will do as you suggest.
- sadly not

thankyou again

Im_just_careful

On the face of it, getting a BT phone line and broadband from someone like Plusnet might be worth considering.

Landline calls will be either cheap or included (compared to mobile costs). Plusnet value broadband (if your exchange is one where the cheap broadband is available) will generally work better than any wireless.

As for broadband "dongles", generally they are prepaid, once you have used your limit they will stop working until you top them up again (like a PAYG phone).

There are comparison sites however I'm not sure they will answer your question. "Best" is very dependent on 1) what actually works where you live and 2) how much you use.

File save as ( http://www.filesaveas.com/mobileinternet.html ) has a reasonable overview of the market although prices may not be up to date.

My mother has a T-Mobile "broadband dongle" but only uses the internet very occasionally, their £2 a day only when you use it suits her. For me, I only use mobile broadand when away from home so buying a week or a month (I use Three) suits me best.

If "Three" works well in your area, their dongle plus 3GB which lasts for 3 months deal for £40 looks quite good.

A slightly different solution would be getting the "3 Skypephone S2" which can be used as a broadband dongle. I've tried this and was very impressed when I used it on someones computer. You can get cheaper "phone" internet deals with "Three" and use them on a PC with the Skypephone S2.

No simple answers I'm afraid.