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How to get internet to Tablet without broadband?

Hi there, I have bought my parents a tablet for Christmas as they have no pc, laptop or browsing abilities on their phones. Yes this is really going to be a baptism of fire for them. They are in their mid 60s and have never really wanted or ever used a pc or anything technical so I thought a tablet seemed the way to go. I have got no idea how much they are going to use it and what their data useage is going to be like - so this is my question. There is currently no broadband being delivered to their address so I wondered what is the cheapest(and easiest) method of obtaining internet access for the tablet? Their tv and phone is with Virgin Media but a full-on 20mb broadband internet connection seems excessive to begin with. Can you but 3g sim cards and stream it via a router? I just cant decide what avenue to go down - all suggestions are welcome! Thanks,. Lee.
:: Lee ::
«13

Comments

  • Idiophreak
    Idiophreak Posts: 12,024 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Without broadband, your only real option is to get a 3G tablet, get a sim in it and pay some kinda data allowance....and hope you don't exceed it, because it will cost a small fortune.

    You could also consider just using dial-up with some kinda router, but basically, getting broadband with VM is the obvious solution - I imagine it will only cost a couple of pounds per month if they have phone and TV already...
  • NiftyDigits
    NiftyDigits Posts: 10,459 Forumite
    ZTE MF60 - O2 Pocket Hotspot £35.10 or £37.65. Purchase via a Cashback website to get £25 back.
    Also includes BT Openzone WiFi access.
  • david29dpo
    david29dpo Posts: 3,986 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Some new routers now let you do this. Just pop a sim in it.
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    ZTE MF60 - O2 Pocket Hotspot £35.10 or £37.65. Purchase via a Cashback website to get £25 back.
    Also includes BT Openzone WiFi access.

    Do you know of an unlock solution for the O2 supplier ZTE MF60 that works - preferably free?
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • NiftyDigits
    NiftyDigits Posts: 10,459 Forumite
    espresso wrote: »
    Do you know of an unlock solution for the O2 supplier ZTE MF60 that works - preferably free?

    Is it locked?
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Is it locked?

    Haven't got one yet but I'm fairly sure that it will be. The O2 dongles were originally supplied unlocked but when they changed supplier to ZTE they were then locked. Have read on some sites that certain network locked ones when connected to a PC only show as a external memory and these can't easily be unlocked. Good deal if they can be unlocked easily.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
  • djleekee
    djleekee Posts: 171 Forumite
    That O2 dongle thing looks the way to go but still a bit pricey! I was thinking maybe 500mb of data on a GiffGaff or summat!? Thanks for all your comments so far!
    :: Lee ::
  • NiftyDigits
    NiftyDigits Posts: 10,459 Forumite
    Don't think they are locked. Will let you know. Expecting to see loads on eBay very soon.
  • NiftyDigits
    NiftyDigits Posts: 10,459 Forumite
    djleekee wrote: »
    That O2 dongle thing looks the way to go but still a bit pricey! I was thinking maybe 500mb of data on a GiffGaff or summat!? Thanks for all your comments so far!

    O2/GiffGaff = Same.
    You can use a GiffGaff SIM even if it is locked to O2.
  • espresso
    espresso Posts: 16,448 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Don't think they are locked. Will let you know. Expecting to see loads on eBay very soon.

    O2_Fiona states that they are locked here.
    :doh: Blue text on this forum usually signifies hyperlinks, so click on them!..:wall:
This discussion has been closed.
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