Temporary broadband without annual contract - does it exist?

Austin_Allegro

Hi all.

I live abroad most of the time but when in the UK spend a few weeks of the year with my mother, who doesn't have or need broadband.

Currently I use a pay as you go 3g wireless dongle but it's very slow.

Is there any broadband provider who will provide pay as you go or monthly contracts for use through a BT landline,?

Tesco has a '30 day rolling contract' package but, speaking to the call centre, it turns out this isn't quite what I thought and it costs a lot to set up and cancel the service. You can't just set it up and cancel it when you feel like it as it takes 2-3 weeks to get set up and you have to send the box back when you cancel!

I can't find anything suitable but it seems odd as there must be quite a few people in this situation (with holiday homes etc).

Any info welcome, thanks.

kwikbreaks

Apart from long lead times Openreach charge to both connect and disconnect ADSL at the exchange. The charges are normally absorbed by the ISP in exchange for a 12 month contract although some will bill you directly but that would make the cost very high - I don't recall the charges but it used to be ~ £45 connect and disconnects typically get charged at £30 plus the short contract would no doubt attract a premium price.

Why not pay for something cheap for the full year.

Lifeforms

No company will give you a free router, install it/deactivate it for free. Companies do it, companies charge to do it.

Plus net offer(ed) a monthly rolling contract, but you will pay for activation and probably to deactivate at the end.

cookie365

Do her neighbours have fast enough internet? If you were to tempt them with a couple of bottles of whatever it is people drink where you live, maybe they'd agree to set up a guest SSID on their router that you can use?

Richard_T_

Currently I use a pay as you go 3g wireless dongle but it's very slow.

what company are you with for your dongle? you could try someone else.
I know that three offer HDSPA+ ( or something like that) which can give some good speeds, and EE offer 4G in some places, shop around.

Austin_Allegro

Thanks for replies folks. The idea of borrowing the neighbours' wifi is a good one - might try that!

I appreciate that it costs to install boxes etc but it seems to me there's a gap in the market for a service whereby you pay to have broadband on an annnual contract on 'standby' with a low standing charge (say £5 a month) and then pay-as-you-go whenever you need to use it.

I'm sure people in holiday cottages, second homes etc would benefit from this.

kwikbreaks

Austin_Allegro wrote: »

...there's a gap in the market for a service whereby you pay to have broadband on an annnual contract on 'standby' with a low standing charge (say £5 a month) and then pay-as-you-go whenever you need to use it.

You would need to pay more than £5 to cover the line rental which Openreach would charge the ISP regardless of whether it was in use or not.

Assuming your mother already has a phone then converting it to TalkTalk Essentials would add £7.50 after cheap new user price ran out. They offer pay up front line rental as do all the others. http://sales.talktalk.co.uk/product/broadband/essentials

WiFi would be cheaper if you could find somebody close enough willing to share. I personally wouldn't let anybody use my connection in case they were into kiddie fiddler stuff or ran torrents 24x7 but others may be prepared to chance it.

Check why your 3G is slow by finding local masts - http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/ distance is critical in urban areas.

skivenov

Get an extension cable and try a few different places for your 3g Dongle. I used to have mine in an upstairs window and it was fine.