What is the simplest, cheapest way of getting Internet access abroad?

Inga

What a great reply Diamonds, very useful information. Love your tip about the surge protector multi plug.

I was beginning to twig that a phone may be an answer. I do have a rubbish works phone that I can't take abroad so it is about time I bought myself a cheap PAYG, it seems it could cost about the same looking at your helpful links, and be far easier for me to deal with!

Roger1

diamonds wrote: »

For tv:
http://www.tunerfree.tv/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9:iplayer-mce&catid=1:software&Itemid=11

It has VPN direction build in so you can watch UK tv abroad via Vista/Windows 7 in Windows Media Center.

I was excited by this as I would like to catch up on UK TV while abroad.

I had a look but can't work out how to use this to watch TV abroad. My next trips will be to Switzerland and South Africa. The instructions link (below 'Donate') leads to a 404 message.

Before I buy a tuner, which is needed for this programme, have you another link to instructions for using this abroad for this simple person, please? Many thanks.

I use http://tvcatchup.com/ in the UK and wilmaa.com in Switzerland, neither needing a tuner - wilmaa.com offering 48 FTA stations is not available in the UK of course, info at http://www.wilmaa.com/info/en/

Inga

Yes, watching TV abroad is my next problem to try and get my head around, albeit less important than getting the radio which I can't do without.

I have been reading some of the posts about tethering and I am coming to the conclusion that I would not be allowed the data downloads that I would need for radio/TV/surfing and I am concerned about the extra charges applied for tethering.

I think it must be a mifi with some research into the best tariff for here and local tariff when I am abroad.

Does anyone have any idea how download intensive radio and TV over the net is? I often listen for 2-4 hours a day when on holiday.

Are there any 'no limit' data download PAYG tariffs?

NiftyDigits

Inga wrote: »

Yes, watching TV abroad is my next problem to try and get my head around, albeit less important than getting the radio which I can't do without.

I have been reading some of the posts about tethering and I am coming to the conclusion that I would not be allowed the data downloads that I would need for radio/TV/surfing and I am concerned about the extra charges applied for tethering.

I think it must be a mifi with some research into the best tariff for here and local tariff when I am abroad.

Does anyone have any idea how download intensive radio and TV over the net is? I often listen for 2-4 hours a day when on holiday.

Are there any 'no limit' data download PAYG tariffs?

I have a handful of USB modems and they have been most useful on my travels.
I use them as I use a Netbook abroad and they don't need an external power source.

Intensive radio you could do.
Intensive TV, you will quickly become unstuck.
You'll use your allowance in a couple of hours or much less.
The other thing, as I alluded to earlier, is that you may not even have access to UMTS or HSPA in your location or speeds may not be as expected.
They'll be fine for Radio, but not guaranteed to be sufficient for Streaming TV.
Considering that downloading a decent quality film can easily consume 700MB, that 100 MB per day allowance looks inadequate.
Orange Espana gives you 250MB per day, but costs three times as much per day.
Tuenti M!vil offer a 'Tarjeta SIM de prepago'. 3GB of data with a month's validity for €20. But this cannot be used in a modem, but can be used for Tethering using a mobile telephone.
Problem is getting hold of one without a Spanish friend's address.

http://tiendamoviles.tuenti.com/tarjeta-sim-prepago

diamonds

Roger1 wrote: »

I was excited by this as I would like to catch up on UK TV while abroad.

I had a look but can't work out how to use this to watch TV abroad. My next trips will be to Switzerland and South Africa. The instructions link (below 'Donate') leads to a 404 message.

Before I buy a tuner, which is needed for this programme, have you another link to instructions for using this abroad for this simple person, please? Many thanks.

I use http://tvcatchup.com/ in the UK and wilmaa.com in Switzerland, neither needing a tuner - wilmaa.com offering 48 FTA stations is not available in the UK of course, info at http://www.wilmaa.com/info/en/

No tuner needed, try again maybe a server error ?

No idea about from outside UK sorry no idea but assume it may check IP contact the program writer maybe, my times in the sun are about that, winter in UK is TV time lol

I'll try to help if I can, ask away.

diamonds

Inga wrote: »

Yes, watching TV abroad is my next problem to try and get my head around, albeit less important than getting the radio which I can't do without.

I have been reading some of the posts about tethering and I am coming to the conclusion that I would not be allowed the data downloads that I would need for radio/TV/surfing and I am concerned about the extra charges applied for tethering.

I think it must be a mifi with some research into the best tariff for here and local tariff when I am abroad.

Does anyone have any idea how download intensive radio and TV over the net is? I often listen for 2-4 hours a day when on holiday.

Are there any 'no limit' data download PAYG tariffs?

3 pay as you go do a bundle at £15 300 mins, 3000 texts & unlimited data, (no tethering is official, sometimes works) valid 30 days from purchase.

Better deal:

Virgin 30 day contract lock in sims from £12 have unlimited data including tethering http://www.virginmobile.com/vm/paymonthlySimOnly.do the £20 deals are amazing though !

I'd get a cheap "smartphone" mobile with wifi hotspot capability with a Virgin sim for UK and a £5/10 basic for putting your UK sim in whilst abroad for UK contact & use your "smartphone" with a local sim for data/wifi access.

Email the BBC asking what speeds are the BBC radio website players run and what/can quality be adjusted to in kbps & can I access them from outside UK ?

These answers will help us consider the sim & costs needed in Spain for you needs

Inga

I have been researching all the great information you generous people have given me and I think I'm nearly there, would just like to run my ideas past you great experts.

I am thinking of getting the Samsung Galaxy Ace from Carphone Warehouse on a £7.50 pm 24month contract. This will give me the minimal texts/calls/data that I will need day to day.

Because their phones come unlocked, I can use a GiffGaff or similar SIM for tethering in the UK if I am away from my home wifi or a locally purchased one when I am abroad.

What do you think?

NiftyDigits

Inga wrote: »

I have been researching all the great information you generous people have given me and I think I'm nearly there, would just like to run my ideas past you great experts.

I am thinking of getting the Samsung Galaxy Ace from Carphone Warehouse on a £7.50 pm 24month contract. This will give me the minimal texts/calls/data that I will need day to day.

Because their phones come unlocked, I can use a GiffGaff or similar SIM for tethering in the UK if I am away from my home wifi or a locally purchased one when I am abroad.

What do you think?

Looks ok to me.

diamonds

Sounds like you are sorted for UK

Inga

Cheers all, what a team and job well done!

I have ordered that on line, will cost £180 paid over 2 years with £35.39 cash back eventually.