tethering

vivvov

Hi Everyone

I live on a narrowboat and the only way to get a decent internet signal is to tether my mobile to my laptop with a 3m usb to mini usb and stick the mobile in a plastic container out on the roof...all well and good(..but can't get reception on my mobile inside the boat due to the steel superstructure).

My mobile contract with T mobile is coming up for renewal..I've had a 2gb/month allowance and been tethering it (didn't even know you might not be allowed) which could do with being increased because 2 gb is not enouh.

Just beginning to think about changing my contract/ increasing my tethering allowance but have read on other threads that all providers are closing down on tethering.

..problem..can't get internet without it...

Looking for the best/cheapest network solution....????
Happy to go with sim only.

Vivvov

grumbler

What about a USB dongle and a special mobile broadband sim?

NiftyDigits

You can buy a 3G MiFi for £30 or a 4G MiFi for £50. A MiFi is a small standalone unit in which you can place a SIM card. It then creates a wireless network to which you can connect up to ten different devices via WiFi. So you can place the MiFi where you may have the best signal. No wires necessary, though the in-built battery only lasts up to six hours. You can plug it into the mains.

You can pair the MiFi with a PAYG EE SIM which supplies 6GB of data over up to three months for £15.

grumbler

vivvov wrote: »

...the only way to get a decent internet signal is to tether my mobile to my laptop with a 3m usb to mini usb and stick the mobile in a plastic container out on the roof...... due to the steel superstructure...

NiftyDigits wrote: »

...A MiFi is a small standalone unit in which you can place a SIM card. It then creates a wireless network to which you can connect up to ten different devices via WiFi. So you can place the MiFi where you may have the best signal. No wires necessary, ...

How is MiFi different from a smartphone in this respect? A smartphone can be used wirelessly as WiFi hotspot, but the point is that the network has to be wired in this case, at least partly.

That said, I can imagine using MiFi with some intermediate WiFi range extender. It would be nice to use popular mains WiFi extenders, but AFAIK, one of them has to be connected to the router by a LAN cable.

I see some "MiFi Mobile WiFi Broadband Routers" on ebay that do have a LAN port and can make a good combination with a pair of mains extenders (powerline adapters).

new

Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere.

I want to get secure wifi on my laptop at home and not just in hotspot locations.

I do not want to pay for a landline.

I have a Virgin mobile but that does not allow tethering.

What are my options?


Many thanks!

grumbler

See above?
Your options are

• MiFi
• USB dongle

both need a mobile broadband sim.

Or change your mobile provider to the one that allows tethering. AFAIK there are very few.

For a big usage a landline can be cheaper.

corf999

new wrote: »

Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere.

I want to get secure wifi on my laptop at home and not just in hotspot locations.

I do not want to pay for a landline.

I have a Virgin mobile but that does not allow tethering.

What are my options?


Many thanks!

Three and EE allow limited tethering on some of their packages. Unfortunately you are a week too late as the only provider offering unlimited tethering ended that option last week.


You are still going to face the same issues regarding your steel frame.

grumbler

What steel frame?

Silk

grumbler wrote: »

What steel frame?

The steel frame around the boat that the OP mentions ....

vivvov wrote: »

..but can't get reception on my mobile inside the boat due to the steel superstructure).

Hooloovoo

Silk wrote: »

The steel frame around the boat that the OP mentions ....

... and how does that relate to the post you quoted?

Silk

Hooloovoo wrote: »

... and how does that relate to the post you quoted?

Because corf999 points out that whilst 3 and EE offer tethering it's not going to solve the reception problems that is due to the steel structure and Grumbler asked what steel frame