mobile broadband

jermyn

Hello All out there. I could do with a little advice on mobile broadband sticks. I want to get my parents onto the internet and am thinking this would be the quickest and cheapest way to do it for someone who will only use it very sparingly. They all seem to have their problems so am looking for someone with 1st hand knowledge of how good they are.

BigBother

Hi It all depends on your location. How good the service is. Even varies from room to room!
They are fine for web pages email etc but useless if you want to watch iplayer or you tube. Try the providers web site - the ususally have a post code search which produces a map of your location showing the type of service you can expect. I live on the coast get a full signal- even two miles off shore! Hope this helps.

PlutoinCapricorn

3 network suggest using the dongle upstairs, near a window and on the cable not plugged directly into the laptop: this last one stops them overheating too.

The service is really like fast dialup, and may be a bit slower in the evenings and at weekends. It has improved in my area after 3 did some enhancements to the network.

I would not say that mobile BB is useless fr watching YouTube, but it is not for someone who plays games and downloads lots of music and films and wants unlimited, very fast access.

I use prepaid 3 dongles with no contracts: they are a good way to test the service without committment.

jermyn

Seen very differing opinions on 3 but they seem the cheapest dongles so I think I will give it a go. I've been on 3's website and for middle of Sheffield conection probably won't get much better anywhere else. It's only for my silver surfer parents to try out so not too much lost if it ends up pants.:beer:

neil40

Yeah, depends on location.I am happy with 3.The speed im getting in Aberdeen is around 2meg.I tried a few providers with 3 and o2 being best speeds etc.

buglawton

Voda have an offer of a £30 stick that comes with £15 credit equivalent to 1GB. Main point is, it NEVER EXPIRES so great for sparing users, for travel or as a backup for when the usual internet goes down.

If you don't stream audio/video 1GB will last ages.

Sagz_2

I've had an Orange mobile broadband contract (£15 per month) which I found very slow and worked out expensive, but worked in most locations.

Now have a 3 dongle which is very fast to connect and use IF you are in a good location. I travel around the UK for work and probably find myself in a location that doesn't get a signal about 2 times out of 10. Works out cheaper in the long run though.