Mobile Internet - occasional use only

shopndrop

I currently have an old Vodafone dongle which I top up as and when but the data does not expire. We caravan all over the country and as the internet signal various enormously I am thinking of getting a dongle from a different provider.
After looking around they all seem to expire after 1 or 3 months. Does anyone know if you can still get a dongle where the data does not expire? My usage is very small but nevertheless, I still want to be able to use my laptop when away.

Im_just_careful

Sadly the Vodafone deal is no longer available. As far as I know they were the only firm in the UK to make such an offer.

The SIMs with that deal now sell for a premium.

You could try getting a "3" mobile (not dongle) PAYG SIM and the 50p a day or £2.50 a week internet package. This is bought via the phone (or in your case PC) browser using my3.three.co.uk

Three don't like you using a phone SIM in a dongle but I do it occasionally and I've never had problems.

Obviously you will need an unlocked dongle or some other means of using a "3" SIM.

kwikbreaks

Yes Vodafone can be bad at times ...



but so can 3 - I can't get mobile data at all on my 3 smartphone at this location.

If you only need data occasionally look at the 12 month 12GB deals (from 3 and probably others) or just take a smartphone contract and risk tethering occasionally.

Buzby

3UK have modified their system to prevent their Dongles working with Phone SIM's (and vice versa). You will not get PAYG mobile BB now, it will expire after 30 days, so you just need to buy what you expect to use in that period (so you do not lose out on any unexpired data limit). Depending on where you caravan, both Vodafone and 3UK may provide excellent service - or none, you cannot be sure until you get to the site and camp up. As a motorcaravanner, I take 2 MiFi* units on two networks, and I've never had a problem.

*Like a dongle, BUT provides a WIFI signal to all authorised kit in range (your iPhone, laptop etc etc).

shopndrop

Thanks Buzby - never heard of MiFi but will google it. From what you have said this sounds ideal for what I want.

Im_just_careful

Whatever network you get connectivity from, an unlocked "MiFi" type device is very useful.

Although I haven't used the SIM in a dongle recently, I used my PAYG 3 phone tethered to a laptop by Bluetooth yesterday and that still works.

On PAYG phone SIMS you can buy Internet for 50p a day or £2.50 a week. Investing a few pounds in a "3" phone SIM seems worth a gamble.

I don't think it is available any more but the "3" Skypephone was an interesting device. This was intended to be used as a phone and a dongle. If you plugged it into a PC, the PC saw it as a dongle.

In the right location it could be jolly fast as well.

taylor11_2

Hi Shopndrop

Vodafone has recently refreshed their PAYG mobile broadband price plan and it may just be what you are looking for. You can now top-up in £5 increments and for each £5 you get 250MB of data which lasts for 60 days. Now, at first glance it may not seem at lot, however, it may surprise you how little data you actual use. If you are just checking the weather, emails and browsing the web then you may find that 250MB will last you for quite a while. I know that some networks charge around £2 per day which, I think, would work out more expensive for you.

You may need to purchase a new dongle to take advantage of this new price plan. It is £19.99 and this comes with data included. Alternatively, would could give customer services a call and ask whether or not they can change the price plan to the new data plan.

I hope this helps.

Cheers
taylor11

boxst

taylor11 wrote: »

Hi Shopndrop

Vodafone has recently refreshed their PAYG mobile broadband price plan and it may just be what you are looking for. You can now top-up in £5 increments and for each £5 you get 250MB of data which lasts for 60 days. Now, at first glance it may not seem at lot, however, it may surprise you how little data you actual use. If you are just checking the weather, emails and browsing the web then you may find that 250MB will last you for quite a while. I know that some networks charge around £2 per day which, I think, would work out more expensive for you.

You may need to purchase a new dongle to take advantage of this new price plan. It is £19.99 and this comes with data included. Alternatively, would could give customer services a call and ask whether or not they can change the price plan to the new data plan.

I hope this helps.

Cheers
taylor11

That sounds incredibly expensive. If your dongle isn't locked (or you can unlock it (you usually can)) then I would suggest a '3' Sim card from Amazon or eBay.

They go for around £12 and that includes 3 months or 3gb, whichever is sooner.

Steve

shopndrop

boxst wrote: »

That sounds incredibly expensive. If your dongle isn't locked (or you can unlock it (you usually can)) then I would suggest a '3' Sim card from Amazon or eBay.

They go for around £12 and that includes 3 months or 3gb, whichever is sooner.

Steve

How can I find out if my dongle is locked or not? Would I just put another SIM card in and see if it works?

Im_just_careful

The Vodafone "never expires" data (as I recall it) costs £10 for 1G so the £5/250MB/60 days is twice the price of shopndrop's current deal.

It isn't bad if you average less than 250MB a month and haven't got the "never expire" SIM but that's it.

If, on the other hand, 1GB lasts you less than a month then the "3" 3GB/3 months sims could be attractive as they typically go for around £10.

TakeThis

Im_just_careful wrote: »

The Vodafone "never expires" data (as I recall it) costs £10 for 1G so the £5/250MB/60 days is twice the price of shopndrop's current deal.

It isn't bad if you average less than 250MB a month and haven't got the "never expire" SIM but that's it.

If, on the other hand, 1GB lasts you less than a month then the "3" 3GB/3 months sims could be attractive as they typically go for around £10.

Your recall has let you down. it is £15 per GB.