Using A Tablet Outside The House

Terrysdelight

Hi

We have a Samsung Galaxy Tablet which gets used indoors via the broadband wi-fi. I think you can get Tablets that you can insert a sim into but it our one doesn't appear to have a slot.

Do we have to buy a new Tablet or is there a way around this? We would like to take the tablet out with us for occassional use.

Many thanks
Terrysdelight

bod1467

You'd be able to connect to any open WiFi access point, albeit you'd need to think about who is running that WiFi.

Do you have BT broadband at home? If yes then you should be able to install the BT WiFi app on the tablet and so connect to any BT access point registered with BT for customer WiFi. (I do this).

If you need mobile data though then you could possibly setup your own phone as a WiFi access point and tether the tablet to it. Whether your mobile provider allows this only you can check.

reehsetin

See if your mobile phone has a setting to use it as a wifi hotspot and then connect your tablet to that, just make sure you have enough data to cover the usage

50Twuncle

reehsetin wrote: »

See if your mobile phone has a setting to use it as a wifi hotspot and then connect your tablet to that, just make sure you have enough data to cover the usage

This is called "tethering" - some mobile providers don't allow this - check your contract first or end up with a big bill !!

bod1467

Thanks both, for reinforcing what I said in post #2.

reehsetin

bod1467 wrote: »

Thanks both, for reinforcing what I said in post #2.

Missed it completely in your post sorry

esuhl

You can also get MiFi routers that connect to a mobile network and provide local wifi access. (Essentially the same effect as using mobile phone tethering -- I'm not sure what the advantages of MiFi over tethering is...?)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MiFi

Terrysdelight

Thank you If I tether via mobile - will it be a weakish signal. I have a 5gb allowance on my phone and I seem to use less than half a gb each month. I wont be downloading or watching programmes - just a bit of surfing and ordering of products online.

Is it not possible to use a dongle with tablets?

20aday

AFAIK you can't plug a dongle into an Android tablet for mobile Internet.

Your best bet would be a MiFi device (as mentioned above).

bod1467

Terrysdelight wrote: »

Thank you If I tether via mobile - will it be a weakish signal.

How do you know? Move the phone closer to the tablet?

Or do you mean the mobile signal will be weak? If yes then a MiFi device likely won't be any better.

agrinnall

bod1467 wrote: »

How do you know? Move the phone closer to the tablet?

Or do you mean the mobile signal will be weak? If yes then a MiFi device likely won't be any better.

I think the question asked really meant "will the speed of the broadband connection be low". And the answer is "it depends", on the strength of the connection between the tablet and the phone, the signal quality between the phone and the mast, the type of wifi signal available on both the tablet and the phone, and the type of mobile data connection (Edge/3G/HDSPA/4G/etc.) that the phone has.

I occasionally have to tether my laptop to my phone using Virgin Mobile when Virgin Media take away my cable connection and I've been pleasantly surprised at how fast the connection is.

The other important thing of course is how much data allowance you have with your phone, if you were to start watching movies on your tethered tablet you'll probably find your allowance is quickly used up.