3G mobile access (USB modem/datacard)

IM

My in-laws live on a canal boat, and as a result do not have a land-line telephone (they did have one, but they found they couldn’t travel very far…:rotfl: ).

My M-i-L is keen to get internet access though (they have a laptop), and I’ve been trying to do some digging about the relative benefits of the networks’ 3G USB modem/data-card products.

One thing is clear, and that is that – presumably because these are seen as ‘business’ products – there are none of the handy click ‘n’ compare websites out there, similar to those for mobile ‘phone deals etc.

Anyway…

I’ve been recommended the T-Mobile “Web ‘n’ Walk” plan by someone in the know. The thing I don’t understand though, is the fact that there are two offerings - “Web ‘n’ Walk Plus” and “Web ‘n’ Walk Max” - at £29 and £44/month respectively (http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-phones/internet/laptop/ ).

The only difference I can see, is that one includes VOIP calls and the other doesn’t. I admit that I know very little about VOIP, but I don’t see how this works – how can T-Mobile tell if you are using your connection for a Skype call rather than just browsing the web?

Vodafone only appear to have one plan - £25 for ‘unlimited’ access….

Have I just talked myself into recommending the Vodafone deal to the M-i-L, or could she get stung down the line if she tries to use VOIP?