Dongle help please.

xxdeebeexx

Hi my parents have a really old desk top computer and use dial up internet. I was wondering if a PAYG dongle would increase the download speed and would be cost effective. Mum doesn't surf much but her emails get 'stuck' when there is a big one to download. I was wondering if all dongle internet costs the same and if it was possible to have credit that doesn't expire.
They are using Windows 2000

TIA

Dx

buglawton

It is a 'no brainer' that they should move to a dongle, the experience will be so much better. Ideally, find out which network has a decent indoor signal. I bought a Vodafone one with 'unexpring credit' (so long as used every couple of months). Therefore it brilliant for travel or when the main broadband is down.

Voda discontinued that deal and no other network offers it. They all now offer credit that expires whether or not you use it, so not as economical for light users.

BUT the unexpiring deal can still be done:

1. Buy any Voda or unlocked 3g dongle.

2. Buy an old stock unexpiring 3g SIM with 1 GB on it:
vodafone sim 1gb on Ebay
( a bit overpriced due to the rarity I guess )
also:
Vodafone UNEXPIRING Mobile Broadband Dongle +Sim k3565
(again it will fetch a good price no doubt)

3. Fit SIM to dongle and make sure you use it a bit at least every 6 weeks or it may be cancelled due to not being used.

The credit will never expire, pay only for use and top up as needed.

For regular moderate usage this deal:
O2 Mobile Broadband Offer

"New £10.20 Dongle on Our £5.11 p/m 30-day Rolling Contract" (ends 28th Feb)

may suit better.

[ edit ] oops - just noticed the bit about Win 2000. The drivers for any dongle may or may not work. Suggest borrow a dongle & test first, or ensure from supplier's website it is Win 2k compatible.

This one does claim to work with Win2K however:
Vodafone Mobile Broadband Dongle - Pay as you go

xxdeebeexx

Thank you so much for such a detailed reply. I will take a look at your suggestions and hopefully sort out something better than what they've got.

Dx

debitcardmayhem

Just make certain that whichever dongle/provider has a goo signal where the folks live, cos where I live I cannot get Voda 3g so I had to move to O2. Best choice is ask a few neighbours near them and ask what they use for their smart phones.

Mavarick_2

My Dad was in a similar situation a silver surfer wanting to browse the web and get emails, luckly he lives in an area covered by the 3 network and they do a Pay as you go modem on 1,3 or 12 month expiry. If you can afford the up front costs, of £81.99, it works out at £6.83 a month.

They don't make it to easy to find mind you... link below,


threestore.three.co.uk/broadband/?id=1183

And click on Mobile Broadband PAYG plans

USM

Given that Sky will now do unlimited 20mb/sec broadband for £10 a month without the need to have Sky TV is it really worth faffing around with dongles?

debitcardmayhem

USM wrote: »

Given that Sky will now do unlimited 20mb/sec broadband for £10 a month without the need to have Sky TV is it really worth faffing around with dongles?

Yes, OP asked about dongles without expiring usage. Plus Sky or any other ISP will only quote figures "assuming they are LLU" .
xxdeebeexx put the folks exchange into http://www.samknows.com/broadband/index.php and see if they can get LLU providers too.

spannerzone

Yeah, just remember to check any dongle has a Windows 2000 driver available as many may not support that operating system. Check coverage for each provider as well.