Portable wifi

LE3

Ok, I need to connect about 6 laptops to the internet on a temporary basis at a meeting (initially a one off but I suspect it maybe something I need to do 4 or 5 times a year)
The venue doesn't have wifi available

I have a 3G dongle which obviously will work for one laptop, so I think I need a mifi but I don't want to pay for a monthly service when I will so rarely need it!
Does anyone know if there any mifi that work on a PAYG basis like my dongle does? (I'd just like to put £5 or so on when I need it, rather than every month etc!) If it could use a giffgaff SIM like i use in my ipad that would be perfect - I just put £5 on when I know I'm going to need the 3G!!

pogg000

Do you have a hot spot on your mobile¿

debitcardmayhem

If the venue has Ethernet available take your router with you

virtuallyfree

Meet at cafe nero or somewhere that has free wifi?

LE3

I have never "hot spotted" from my phone, but my contract does allow tethering!
The signal is ok, but not great at the venue - would it work for 6 laptops off one tiny mobile phone?

(The venue doesn't have ethernet available)

NiftyDigits

If the signal is not good on your phone, then it won't be good on the same network with the Mobile HotSpot. So you need to ascertain which has the best network at that venue.

LE3

I just need 6 people to logon to a website to input some data - it has to be done next week. I have multiple laptops available, I just need a way of getting them online!

(There is no cafe nero in the village where I need to do this & even if there was, not every meeting can be held in a public place!)

Does anyone know how many devices you can tether from a mobile phone?

NiftyDigits

Here is an example of what you need for £30. You can tether up to eight devices.
You can unlock it to any network for £0.99p if T-Mobile don't have adequate network and perhaps replace it with a £14 3GB for up to 3 months SIM from Three.

NiftyDigits

Alternatively, you can get the same modem from Orange on a 2GB 30 day contract. If you are already with them you can get a further discount. If not, go via Quidco to get £10.
You just have to give 30 days notice to cancel and then you can unlock it for use with PAYG data SIMs.
So a cheaper way to get the same thing.

verybigchris

You can use the 3g dongle to give one laptop an internet connection. Then set up an ad hoc wireless network using that laptop's wifi, turn Internet Connection Sharing on and all the others can connect to it.

The exact process varies depending on your OS, but here's an example of how it's done.

[Deleted User]

A MiFi Dongle will work, but only for 5 devices.

That means either 2 MiFi Dongles, or get 1, and use your existing Dongle for the 6th Laptop.

Bear in mind, 5 Laptops can easily go through a lot of data allowance, so you might want to bung on a decent topup.

£25 will get you 7GB, on 3.