Dipping toe into broadband market!

georgiac

My F-in_L is looking to join the computer age slightly later than everyone else!

He would like a tablet and to connect to the internet but I doubt he will be downloading or streaming anything any time soon.

He obviously doesn't have the internet at the moment, he's on Virgin for TV and home phone. They want an extra £20 a month for broadband which seems ludicrously expensive.

Would he be better off getting a 3g tablet and a payg sim card or finding a cheap broadband deal?

If a 3g tablet can anyone recommend a cheapie make and mode, thanks

Fightsback

Time for some negotiation with Virgin (Liberty Media) on that £20/month.

Current virgin media prices:

http://store.virginmedia.com/big-bundles.html

Note that they offer broadband and calls for £4.99/month (discount for 12 months then £17.50 per month) + line rental £16.99.

Look at the sky introductory prices (or other BB offers) and use that against them.

georgiac

Thanks Fightback, I have tried ringing VM and have been quoted the same £20 a month extra for broadband. He is tied with them until March so not much wiggle room.

That was the sales team, customer services don't seem to work Sundays so I will try again tomorrow.

grumbler

Unless he can't survive without Virgin TV, suggest switching to Freeview and, say, Plusnet for £111 for 12mths after £75 back.

Mobile broadband can be more expensive than £10 p.m., but he can try preloaded sims first, e.g. http://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/phones-broadband-and-sat-nav/broadband/mobile-broadband/three-pay-as-you-go-nano-sim-19597894-pdt.html?awc=1599_1448197632_93d926e7e5bd04f4cae2cbb99b00b324&srcid=369&xtor=AL-1&cmpid=aff~HotUKDeals~Communities%20%26%20UGC&istCompanyId=bec25c7e-cbcd-460d-81d5-a25372d2e3d7&istItemId=qqpxmxaq&istBid=t or EE's £10 for two months:
Free 200GB Again! £10.00 topup required @ EE

I am not sure that the latter is allowed to be used in a tablet.
Also, instead of a 3/4g tablet it's worth considering a basic one with a separate MiFi device.

georgiac

Thanks grumbler, yes I checked the plusnet offer and it seems decent value but he would need a new line which is an extra £50 a month and £6 router.

Still cheaper than virgin but getting closer to their price.

I will check out the preloaded sims thanks and also google MiFi - as I haven't heard of these before.

Thanks

grumbler

georgiac wrote: »

Thanks grumbler, yes I checked the plusnet offer and it seems decent value but he would need a new line which is an extra £50 a month and £6 router.

Possibly I am missing something, but I think line rental is included. The router is £7 one-off that is very cheap.


Re EE sim and a tablet, reportedly it's fine, as well as for MiFi:
EE Osprey Mini 2 mobile broadband £10.00 for device, total upfront cost £20.00 pm @ Currys

bluesnake

Does his neighbours have broadband? Does he get on well with them? Is the signal strong?

My friend uses her neighbours wifi and the are about 50 feet apart. I bought a new router for my friend which my friend paid for, as it had gave better wifi that the existing one. Also My friend pays £10 per month out of the about £13 cost.

My friend save £3 on broadband, and £17 on having no phone line, and every one is a winner - well if you are a friend, not isp .

georgiac

Line rental is included, but because he has no "line" at the moment - he had virgin media it counts as a new line installation.

- No line/switching from cable (or in a few cases, Sky cust)? Installation's £49.99. You'll know before committing.

grumbler wrote: »

Possibly I am missing something, but I think line rental is included. The router is £7 one-off that is very cheap.


Re EE sim and a tablet, reportedly it's fine, as well as for MiFi:
EE Osprey Mini 2 mobile broadband £10.00 for device, total upfront cost £20.00 pm @ Currys

georgiac

bluesnake wrote: »

Does his neighbours have broadband? Does he get on well with them? Is the signal strong?

My friend uses her neighbours wifi and the are about 50 feet apart. I bought a new router for my friend which my friend paid for, as it had gave better wifi that the existing one. Also My friend pays £10 per month out of the about £13 cost.

My friend save £3 on broadband, and £17 on having no phone line, and every one is a winner - well if you are a friend, not isp .

We had considered that, I will check next time we go round to see how good the signal is. Thanks

poppellerant

Go straight to disconnections, they can almost always offer you a better deal. They can even renew your contract regardless of how long is left on your existing contract.

georgiac

poppellerant wrote: »

Go straight to disconnections, they can almost always offer you a better deal. They can even renew your contract regardless of how long is left on your existing contract.

Thanks, I will do - unfortunately they don't seem to be available on a Sunday.