Mobile Broadband

pitkin2020

Really need to get some sort of mobile broadband sorted.
I have looked at all the main suppliers for a dongle but they all do packages where you buy X amount of data to use up within the month.

My issue is I will be using it in frequently, sometimes 3 or 4 days a week other times just once a month.

Are there any suppliers where you can just buy say 1 or 2 gb and you can just use that data until it runs out then top up again. As I said some months I may use 1gb straight away other times I may only use 1gb over 3 months so seems mad to keep paying each month just for the sake of it.

Mobile phone tethering isn't an option either.

Lifeforms

I think you could find longer "contract" lengths. I've seen 12 months (12gigs) on 3 for their wifi.

If I'm honest, just trawl ebay/amazon for the data cards and use an unlocked Broadband dongle (or locked if you need on network, either way) and buy them there. they are time limited, but you just throw it away, and get another one.

If you go over the data limit, you should be able to buy more, but if you want something that will last eternally per say, probably a rolling 30 day contract, or full contract one. That way you can go over (at a cost) without having to replace or change sims. The PAYG on 3 you can buy bundles/add ons but frankly they take the !!!!, and in that case I'd just say ebay jobbie anytime it's run out as per monthly/download limit. (as with most over usage costs; it's silly season)

It would be best to talk to someone about it. I can only say about what I've read.

neilwoods

There used to be dongle's which you could top and the data would remain until it ran out. But they all realised they could make more money by having a 30 day contract as such.

As said above, Three do 1gb, 3gb or 12gb data allowance. 1gb for 1 month, 3gb for 3 month, 1gb for 12 month.

I use a Three dongle, did buy from amazon for £16 (yes they can be bought cheaper from ebay). Then I buy a new 1gb sim card from amazon when i want to use it. Currently at £4.85 for new sim.

So pretty much stuck with the 30 day usage. Unless you can find free wifi or find a Bthotspot and pay for a day usage.

pitkin2020

Its not contract im interested in though really as some months I won't be using anything or if I do it will be a tiny amount so its not justified.

I only intend to use the mobile broadband in one location and there are no BT wifi hotspots etc in the area.

pitkin2020

neilwoods wrote: »

There used to be dongle's which you could top and the data would remain until it ran out. But they all realised they could make more money by having a 30 day contract as such.

As said above, Three do 1gb, 3gb or 12gb data allowance. 1gb for 1 month, 3gb for 3 month, 1gb for 12 month.

I use a Three dongle, did buy from amazon for £16 (yes they can be bought cheaper from ebay). Then I buy a new 1gb sim card from amazon when i want to use it. Currently at £4.85 for new sim.

So pretty much stuck with the 30 day usage. Unless you can find free wifi or find a Bthotspot and pay for a day usage.

That maybe an option the 1gb for 12 months and just replace at less £5. That would certainly work out cheaper than £5/£10 per month and only using 1gb of data over even 3 months.

Lifeforms

pitkin2020 wrote: »

That maybe an option the 1gb for 12 months and just replace at less £5. That would certainly work out cheaper than £5/£10 per month and only using 1gb of data over even 3 months.

Pretty sure that poster mistyped and left out a 2. It's 12 GB for 12 months.
Contract or not, you basically are stuck with 30 days usage. You can get 3 months usage, or 12 months, etc, but not unlimited time period.

Gamble with it, get a 3 month 3gb and see how you do, replace when done.

neilwoods

Lifeforms wrote: »

Pretty sure that poster mistyped and left out a 2. It's 12 GB for 12 months.
Contract or not, you basically are stuck with 30 days usage. You can get 3 months usage, or 12 months, etc, but not unlimited time period.

Gamble with it, get a 3 month 3gb and see how you do, replace when done.

Yeah my bad, sorry about that. It should have been 12gb

They all seem to do the same, 30days or till the data runs out

pitkin2020

Thanks guys, I did think it was the case but was hoping there would be an alternative.

They seem to have you over a barrel now and have caught onto tethering so have a hissy fit when you do that if you haven't already had that function blocked lol

datlex

I currently pay £11 for 3GB. I've just been speaking to them about reducing my bill as I no longer use it as much as I did. They offered £4.99 but would be reduced data allowance.

Figment

Just to rub your nose in it, I have one of those "Good Until Used" dongles on Vodafone. I purchased 2-3 years ago, and in that time have used just over £10 worth of data. I'm guarding it with my life.