Broadband using a dongle

silkyuk9

D in law wants broadband for her medical studies, at present however they haven't got a phone line in their home. So ive suggested a dongle while this gets all up and running which will be over 2 months.

Where do we get a dongle from? and how do we get this up and running

Figment

If you want one quickly, any mobile phone shop/stall will stock them.

If you have more time, Amazon or ebay may offer better value.

You need a mobile broadband dongle NOT a wifi dongle - they look similar but do different things. A mobile broadband dongle contains a SIM card, a wifi dongle does not.

They are available on 1, 3 and 12 month contracts or PAYG. Most PAYG dongles are now time limited - you allowance typically expires 30 days after first use. Vodafone used to do a true PAYG dongle (I have one) - credit is valid until used, but I don't think this is offered now.

bluesnake

quite a few mobiles have built in wireless routers. A giffgaff card cost £12 p/m for unlimited data, and a few calls - no contract.

The problems with 3g network is over subscription in certain areas, like around london giving a really poor download and internet connection, so an 18 month contract may not be a bargain at old modem speeds, but great for 4gig. I do not know of anyone whom get 4gig here, but often get 60 to 120k

Figment

bluesnake wrote: »

quite a few mobiles have built in wireless routers. A giffgaff card cost £12 p/m for unlimited data, and a few calls - no contract.

The problems with 3g network is over subscription in certain areas, like around london giving a really poor download and internet connection, so an 18 month contract may not be a bargain at old modem speeds, but great for 4gig. I do not know of anyone whom get 4gig here, but often get 60 to 120k

The £12p/m giffgaff goodybag cannot be used for as a personal hotspot or tethering

bluesnake

Thanks Figment see what you mean. I'm on 3-the one plan with all you can eat data and they do allow tethering, but cost £25 p/m, but there are days that when i have trouble getting to any pages. When my contract finished, I will be off to giffgaff, as I do not use tethering

Im_just_careful

If the device to be connected has WiFi, a MiFi might be a good choice.

Figment

bluesnake wrote: »

Thanks Figment see what you mean. I'm on 3-the one plan with all you can eat data and they do allow tethering, but cost £25 p/m, but there are days that when i have trouble getting to any pages. When my contract finished, I will be off to giffgaff, as I do not use tethering

On unlimited plans (goodybags) giffgaff's FUP is:

Giffgaff use 1GB/hour and 3GB/day as simply indicative of illegitimate use (after testing what was reasonable for high legitimate use on various devices). Using over these amounts can trigger further investigations.

They have capped data plans that do allow tethering, plus data only plans for tablets and dongles

NiftyDigits

You need to check to see who has a 3G signal at her place and to find out her likely data usage.
If it's mainly browsing with just a few small downloads, then this T-MOBILE 3 MONTH STARTER PACK MOBILE BROADBAND - BLACK for £24.94 can be a place to begin looking.

Johnmcl7

Im_just_careful wrote: »

If the device to be connected has WiFi, a MiFi might be a good choice.

Yes, that's what I would recommend as well - far more convenient as you don't need to install anything on the machines connecting to it, as long as they have wifi they can connect. Also it means you can put the device in the location that gets the best reception (usually a window sill) and sit where you want rather than having to try and sit right beside a window to get the best reception on the dongle.

John

vaio

I use the 3 dongle...once you have the dongle the ongoing cost is £10 pm for 1gb of data.

if you can CBA then quidco are giving £12.50 cash back so effectively 3 will give you free broadband and £2.50 a month/every gb you use

NiftyDigits

vaio wrote: »

I use the 3 dongle...once you have the dongle the ongoing cost is £10 pm for 1gb of data.

if you can CBA then quidco are giving £12.50 cash back so effectively 3 will give you free broadband and £2.50 a month/every gb you use

That is perhaps if you cannot track down a PAYG data SIM for less than half of that price.