Connecting a laptop to the internet without 'phone line?

Norman-B

I have bought my daughter a laptop. Now she wants to connect to the web. In her flat, she only has a mobile phone. No BT or cable. Can she get a mobile broadband package or will she need a BT line?

TonyLisaP

You can get a 3G adaptor if you want. This works via the PCMCIA socket and uses a Phone Sim.

Norman-B

TonyLisaP wrote: »

You can get a 3G adaptor if you want. This works via the PCMCIA socket and uses a Phone Sim.

Thanks for the swift reply! Sorry to seem dense but can you explain further? Is the broadband package via her mobile phone, with the 3G adapter?

ninedays

Have a google for 3G card all the mobile companies are doing them now.
You receive a USB card that you can connect to the laptop it works as a modem and connects to the internet.

This is seperate from your mobile phone and she would need to take out a contract with one of the network providers.

TonyLisaP

Norman-B wrote: »

Thanks for the swift reply! Sorry to seem dense but can you explain further? Is the broadband package via her mobile phone, with the 3G adapter?

A 3G card is basically an adaptor that will allow her to connect to the internet from pretty much anyway. Google it and you will find some deals, unfortunately some money will have to be spent and a contract for the 3G service. Not free I am afraid.

PeteHerts

If she is a Three customer then the last time I checked the adapter was around £50 on the cheapest contract but if she enters her Three number then she can get the adapter for free.
I think the cheapest was £10 a month for 12 months but only a 1GB per month download limit so only simple surfing and emailing would be advised.

Norman-B

PeteHerts wrote: »

If she is a Three customer then the last time I checked the adapter was around £50 on the cheapest contract but if she enters her Three number then she can get the adapter for free.
I think the cheapest was £10 a month for 12 months but only a 1GB per month download limit so only simple surfing and emailing would be advised.

Pete, my daughter is with Virgin Mobile on contract. I phoned Virgin mobile and asked about 3g packages and they did not know what I was talking about! I then rang Virgin Media and asked them, guess what. They put me back to Virgin Mobile, who did not know what I was talking about. Help!!

Cna she take out a package with 3 but still keep her Virgin number?

PeteHerts

Norman-B wrote: »

Pete, my daughter is with Virgin Mobile on contract. I phoned Virgin mobile and asked about 3g packages and they did not know what I was talking about! I then rang Virgin Media and asked them, guess what. They put me back to Virgin Mobile, who did not know what I was talking about. Help!!

Cna she take out a package with 3 but still keep her Virgin number?

Yes because they supply a sim card too. I think T-mobile do a pay as you go too but I think it's about £99 for the adaptor. I've seen them cheaper on eBay though.
As far as I know Three, Vodafone and T-mobile might be the only 3 doing this but someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
If she is going just to do surfing and emailing then Three's £10 a month and £49 for the adaptor may be the way to go.
If you were on BT broadband Norman then there is another cheeky way to go.

ninedays

Think of this as entirely seperate from her mobile phone contact.

It will be an internet service which the mobile phone companies have started offering. You are not comitted to go with Virgin just because you have a mobile with them.

Norman-B

Pete, thanks again! I'm with TT broadband at home and that is so sloooooow. Can you give me the tip re BT, please. Both of her pals are on BT broadband.

Norman-B

ninedays wrote: »

Think of this as entirely seperate from her mobile phone contact.

It will be an internet service which the mobile phone companies have started offering. You are not comitted to go with Virgin just because you have a mobile with them.

Ninedays, I think this is where I was getting mixed up. I was thinking to connect, she had to use her mobile phone, doh!
I have since googled 3 and Voda and that seems the way to go for her. Only downside, 18 and 24 months packages.