choosing an internet dongle - which one please?

criboo

If your mother's phone has a wireless hotspot option then look into that; presently on "3" I use their unlimited data package with tethering inclusive (The One Plan) as my home internet and it's generally good for things like Skype/YouTube/iPlayer/Netflix etc.

The most important thing will be having a strong signal, is your mother in a city or a more rural place? Either way, check the mobile provider's coverage checkers and if it's unclear buy the cheap PAYG sims and check them each in her house in an unlocked phone.

NiftyDigits

Aura wrote: »

Has anyone us3d an 02 dongle please?

Seems that you are not listening or more likely, don't understand.

It's the signal that is most important. Completely pointless to ask if someone is using an O2 USB modem. They may be in London and you in the Isles of Scilly.

So try to comprehend what is being written.

Which plan of theirs were you thinking of using?

AndysDad

She could always sign up to SambaMobile,£5 sim card or £25 for simcard and dongle and just watch few ads in return for free internet.No ongoing costs at all.Use it all the time when I'm away at my mums.

spud17

AndysDad wrote: »

She could always sign up to SambaMobile,£5 sim card or £25 for simcard and dongle and just watch few ads in return for free internet.No ongoing costs at all.Use it all the time when I'm away at my mums.

Not much good if she doesn't get 3 coverage.

Need to find best reception as suggested in previous posts.

LouiseTopp

Thanks for your replies. What is a a MiFi i please?

Is your mother in a city or a more rural place?

On a housing estate just outside the city of Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Seems that you are not listening or more likely, don't understand. So try to comprehend what is being written.

There is no need to be rude. I am just trying to help a senior citizen, as I am not technically minded myself I would find it confusing!

Need to find best reception as suggested in previous posts.

How do I do that again? Sorry to be a pain.

NiftyDigits

LouiseTopp wrote: »

Thanks for your replies. What is a a MiFi i please?



On a housing estate just outside the city of Salisbury, Wiltshire.



There is no need to be rude. I am just trying to help a senior citizen, as I am not technically minded myself I would find it confusing!



How do I do that again? Sorry to be a pain.

"Helping a senior citizen" doesn't preclude you from reading and comprehending. So let's not play that card. It should be beneath you.

This is a MiFi I recommend that you purchase it on her behalf.

Imagine it as a mobile telephone without a keyboard. It takes the mobile telephone signal and shares it with other units, such as a laptop.

Once purchased, we can get to the unlocking. Costs just £0.99. That way you can use it with any SIM, not just T-Mobile.

Im_just_careful

All other things being equal, "3" are a good network to get MiFi devices from.


http://www.three.co.uk/Support/Coverage


Their coverage for Salisbury looks generally OK. If you put in the post code you can confirm.


If the coverage is "outdoors only" then putting the MiFi by a window will probably make it work. This can require some experimentation.


The linked T-Mobile device is also a good choice but with no further work (unlocking) a device on "3" will let you buy SIMs with 3GB of data that last 3 months (see Amazon).


Arguably other networks offer better value but for something that "just works" this would be my choice.

NiftyDigits

Im_just_careful wrote: »

All other things being equal, "3" are a good network to get MiFi devices from.


http://www.three.co.uk/Support/Coverage


Their coverage for Salisbury looks generally OK. If you put in the post code you can confirm.


If the coverage is "outdoors only" then putting the MiFi by a window will probably make it work. This can require some experimentation.


The linked T-Mobile device is also a good choice but with no further work (unlocking) a device on "3" will let you buy SIMs with 3GB of data that last 3 months (see Amazon).


Arguably other networks offer better value but for something that "just works" this would be my choice.

Not particularly good advice and certainly a bit late in posting.

A MiFi(and an inferior one at that) would cost £49.99 from Three. Replete with a 1GB allowance for up to one month.

Would make more sense to get it on the One Month contract. £29.99 plus £15.99 per month for 5GB per month.

With my T-Moble MiFi suggestion, you are looking at £31 for an unlocked modem and perhaps £15 or less for a Three 3GB data SIM...plus it is a better MiFi unit.

Your Three PAYG option offers the poorest value for money and has no coverage benefit.