Cheapest broadband without phoneline?

WashingTime

Hi all

As a luddite, I'm not sure how possible this is but here goes.

I've recently moved into a new flat and intend to be here for about 9 months (so am a little apprehensive about getting a contract for a fixed line, plus that I don't need it as don't make many calls).

I would like some kind of internet access. I am considering upgrading my phone but I wondered whether moving to a bigger data package would also enable me to access the internet on my laptop through my mobile line. This would be for light use and I'm not too bothered about it being lightening quick.

Could someone with more technical know-how explain whether and how this is possible? I'd also be interested to hear people's experience if you've already done this as it must be pretty common.

Thanks!

macman

You can either buy a dongle, or tether to your existing mobile data service, if your provider allows it.

WashingTime

Thanks for your reply Macman.

I'm a little confused by what exactly I have to do to tether my existing mobile data service? How do I get my laptop to access the internet through my phone?

I'm currently on 02 but understand that I may need to move to Three who have a more genuine 'unlimited' data allowance.

joolsybools

You might be able to get Virgin cable without a landline, I have one years ago, not sure if they still do it. You'd probably be looking at a 12 month contract though.

slimthinker

We have an internet only account with Virgin at a cost of £18 per month. Also, we have a caravan and use our 'Three' phone to thether there at a cost of £18 per month (The One Plan) which includes 'All You Can Eat Data'. We have ran 2 tablets, a netbook and 2 TV's watching Lovefilm without interuptions using this...Its amazing really. We are more than happy with it ;-)

pickoftheday

My home internet is through my mobile phone too. I have got speeds of over 20MB but most of the time it's around 5 - 10MB.

You have to have a phone with an operating system capable of being a 'wi-fi hotspot'.

Android phones such as those provided by Samsung, Sony and LG, running Android version 2.3 and later have the Wi-Fi hotspot feature. These phones are not necessarily expensive.

Switching this feature on makes your phone act like a normal router. You just search for the connection on your laptop the way you would any normal Wi-Fi connection.

You need a 'proper' unlimited data package, not one of these that provide 500MB to 3GB.

Only Three UK, Virgin and T-Mobile AFAIK, provide unlimited data.

You will also need to choose a tariff that allows for 'tethering' i.e your laptop using your phones internet connection.

Three charge £5 a month extra for this, on top of their unlimited data plan.

misiek404

pickoftheday wrote: »

My home internet is through my mobile phone too. I have got speeds of over 20MB but most of the time it's around 5 - 10MB.

Are these actual speeds? Have you checked via some speed test? What about upload speeds?
The reason I'm asking is that I'm with Three and have been thinking about ditching BB+landline for the sake of tethered internet.
This would cost me £8/month on top of my price plan which is less than half of what I pay for BB and landline at the moment. I like to do some online gaming every now and then and need decent download/upload speeds.

macman

You can also tether on giffgaff, but only on the correct product (you need to use a gigabag: it's not allowed on the goodybags that offer unlimited data).
The service you choose will be dictated primarily by the provider that can give you a decent 3G signal at the new property.

ACDeag

PlusNet allow you to have contracts for less than 12 months

pickoftheday

misiek404 wrote: »

Are these actual speeds? Have you checked via some speed test? What about upload speeds?
The reason I'm asking is that I'm with Three and have been thinking about ditching BB+landline for the sake of tethered internet.
This would cost me £8/month on top of my price plan which is less than half of what I pay for BB and land line at the moment. I like to do some online gaming every now and then and need decent download/upload speeds.

Yes, they are actual speeds. If I knew how to post a picture on this I'll upload some screenshots.

In the evenings I can see a slow down to around 5MB but quieter times gets me 15MB upwards.

Upload speeds tend to be around the 2 - 3MB but have been higher.

I'd test your own speeds using speedtest.net - you can download the free app too and do tests at various times of the day.

Do 2 or 3 tests each time to get a good picture.

As far as gaming is concerned I think the ping times would be too high just now (they can be over 100ms), but three will have their 4G network up and running sometime after the summer, which will give higher speeds and home broadband like ping times which is essential for gaming.

They've told me that existing customers will be able to use the 4G network at no extra cost.