Internet access in rural area

NorthumbrianLad

My Dad lives in a rural part of Northimberland & it's not cost-effective to pay for a permanent broadband connection. I have considered using a dongle, but these all seem to run out after a month. Is anyone aware of any unlimited-time dongles ? There was one available last year, but by the time I heard about it, the deal had been withdrawn.

Inner_Zone

Yes there was a Vodafone dongle which had 180 days expiry but only 1Gb data limit. So either get a PAYG and top-up when required or get a contract.

Which ever way you go check coverage where it will be used as the five networks all have different coverage.

Alternatively there is also satellite BB but it is more expensive.

PlutoinCapricorn

You can get prepaid 3 network dongles: 1/3/12 gb which expire after 1/3/12 months or when the allowance runs out. A lot depends on your requirements, expectations and the local service.

Playing games, downloading films and music do use up a lot, but surfing and emailing do not.

I have used nothing else since 2008, and am very satisfied.

aerostar

If he is in a rural location, then you need to check that the location has 3G available, check the coverage maps from the mobile companies on their website, and then take it with a pinch of salt!

Donnie

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

You can get prepaid 3 network dongles: 1/3/12 gb which expire after 1/3/12 months or when the allowance runs out. A lot depends on your requirements, expectations and the local service.

Playing games, downloading films and music do use up a lot, but surfing and emailing do not.

I have used nothing else since 2008, and am very satisfied.

A lot more difficult to find cheaply these days.

patman99

I use a smartphone on a '3' contract with unlimited (actually 2 G/b p/m). I installed 'Joikuspot' and use this. As it doesn't use '3's dns servers, I never use any of my mobile BB limit (it is invisible to '3' for some reason). Costs me £20 p/m.