Got broadband? Now set up as (free to access) private ISP

Stabilo

I am writing this in the pub and sending it for free via my mobile phone.

How?

Now that I am set up with broadband VOIP at home the landline is redundant. Obviously have to pay BT for it though. For quite some time I have been thinking of what use I can put the landline to.

Set up dial in access to your PC via your geographical number and access your broadband connection. You will need an old style modem (couple of quid) and obviously the maximum speed will only be 56K (at best).

With your mobile inclusive minutes (and laptop) you can then surf for free in the pub, car, beach etc. If you have the corrct mobile provider you can use 1899.com to pay just 3p to surf for hours if you have used all your inclusive minutes.

You could also sell the internet connection to friends and family that are still paying £10 per month for dial up access. If they too use 1899.com it would cost just 3p per day (£1/month) to use your private ISP. You could even share with friends e.g. friend A has access during even hours of the day & night and friend B during odd hours etc.

2ax

That looks like an interesting idea, but two queries -

I can't figure how this would be as fast as 56k; surely it will only go at 9k6 (or 28k8 if you have high speed data on that network)

Also, I can't see the advantage over using 1899 and an ISP's geographic number (unless you don't have one of course) and calling that direct from the mobile phone


edited - sorry, a complete slip of the brain to hand co-ordination - I meant geographic numbers, not non-...

Stabilo

2ax wrote:

That looks like an interesting idea, but two queries -

I can't figure how this would be as fast as 56k; surely it will only go at 9k6 (or 28k8 if you have high speed data on that network)

Also, I can't see the advantage over using 1899 and an ISP's non-geographic number (unless you don't have one of course) and calling that direct from the mobile phone

It is 56K for your friends & family to dial in from their house.

You have to pay PER MINUTE for 1899's 08XX numbers rather than a fixed 3p to a landline.

nearlyrich

This might be the answer to a problem we have at the moment...my daughter is at a uni with no internet access in her hall of residence, she has a wireless laptop and a mobile phone on the Orange network, please can you give me some more info on how to do this?

We have a wireless network set up here, sharing a broadband connection.....

Stabilo

nearlyrich wrote:

This might be the answer to a problem we have at the moment...my daughter is at a uni with no internet access in her hall of residence, she has a wireless laptop and a mobile phone on the Orange network, please can you give me some more info on how to do this?

We have a wireless network set up here, sharing a broadband connection.....

Before I provide a few more details, does your daughter have access to a landline in her room (I assume not but it's worth asking)?

I am with Orange which is the 'best' provider for this system.

Orange will only provide speeds up to about 30K but better than nothing (especially if it's free).

Are you familiar with 1899.com?

nearlyrich

Stabilo wrote:

Before I provide a few more details, does your daughter have access to a landline in her room (I assume not but it's worth asking)?

I am with Orange which is the 'best' provider for this system.

Orange will only provide speeds up to about 30K but better than nothing (especially if it's free).

Are you familiar with 1899.com?

In answer to your questions No she has no phone access at all in halls ( she can get online in the library so she isn't totally cut off but she is mssing MSN etc) I have heard of 1899 from reading these boards but we use talk talk and we only spend about a fiver per month on the landline.

2ax

Stabilo wrote:

It is 56K for your friends & family to dial in from their house.

You have to pay PER MINUTE for 1899's 08XX numbers rather than a fixed 3p to a landline.

you are right ...

my post above now edited - sorry, a complete slip of the brain to hand co-ordination - I meant geographic numbers, not non-...

Stabilo

nearlyrich,

Ok, you should sign up at www.1899.com. There is no monthly fee and they charge a minimal cost per call (typically just 3p for 'hours'). As stated elsewhere 1899.com are quite popular at the moment (so cheap) and you should register your daughters mobile as the lead number. Then add your home number and any others you might dial from.

As you & your daughter are probably aware Orange permit free calls to 0800 numbers (unlike the other providers). 1899.com provide an 0800 number for your daughter to access their telephone 'switch'. This is only available after you have subscribed to 1899.com. It can be up & running within 30 minutes. She thens dials your home number via the 1899.com switch. Total cost just 3p. If she has inclusive minutes the cost is nothing (I get 50 minutes every day), she just rings your house directly.

Are you using Windows XP?

Are you using Home or Professional version?

I assume daughter is using XP as most are these days.

I am an Accountant not a techie so some of the PC set up was trial & error. Although it was surprisingly simple in the end.

I await your reply.

Stabilo

2ax wrote:

That looks like an interesting idea, but two queries -

I can't figure how this would be as fast as 56k; surely it will only go at 9k6 (or 28k8 if you have high speed data on that network)

Also, I can't see the advantage over using 1899 and an ISP's geographic number (unless you don't have one of course) and calling that direct from the mobile phone


edited - sorry, a complete slip of the brain to hand co-ordination - I meant geographic numbers, not non-...

I don't personally know of any ISP (other than myself:rotfl: ) that offers an 01XXX access number without charging a monthly subscription (typically £10/month). I have searched and searched for such a thing. That's why I set up my own private ISP. If anyone knows of a such an ISP please send details by PM (wouldn't want the ISP to suddenly start charging a fee).

nearlyrich

Thanks for your help Stabilo, I am in IT but commercial (sales manager) not techie, it's amazing what you pick up though!

All our computers are on XP pro, we have a couple of desktops which are sort of redundant, just got the laptops instead, so one could be used as an access machine if required...

Stabilo

nearlyrich wrote:

Thanks for your help Stabilo, I am in IT but commercial (sales manager) not techie, it's amazing what you pick up though!

All our computers are on XP pro, we have a couple of desktops which are sort of redundant, just got the laptops instead, so one could be used as an access machine if required...

I'm an Accountant for a software company which helps.

Do you still need the XP set up details or was it more the 1899.com that you needed details on?