I'll be in the UK for a few weeks and the place I'll be living in does not have internet access. So is there any temporary packages(a month) out there that is suitable(except internet cafes/hotspots)? USB modem? cost?

Cheers

You could try Zen, it is monthly contract, been with them for a while and would recommend but it is not as cheap as longer packages. I am sure that there are others out there, if you go to moneysavingexpert.com and look up broadband you will find one to suit. Good luck.

There's at least one 3G service available as Pay as You Go (3) - there may be others by now. I recall that the prices were reasonable for ad-hoc no-strings access. But watch out for the excess usage costs! :eek: :ouch: :{

SD

Thank you all.
Want to make myself clear. I want internet access via my laptop, indoor only for a few weeks. There's a phone landline and i don't mind using 56k dial-up.

Other suggestions would be very much appreciated.

There are many around that will give 1p per minute dial up access with no contract - e.g. Free Dial Up Internet Connection & Access Service : Cheap ISP (http://www.uku.co.uk/)

You could google others if you dont like that one

I know of some ISPs that offer one month contracts for up to 8M broadband, but the forum rules proscribe posting the names. However, if the landline has not been enabled for broadband there will almost certainly be a connection fee, (£46, including VAT) and probably a delay while BT make the connection at the local telephone exchange.

Although I have not investigated the options it seems unlikely that any 3G operator would offer a one month contract without charging for the requisite hardware. Even if you could find a suitable 3G ISP there is the question of incomplete coverage - many areas in the UK outside major connurbations have weak or no cell phone signals.

Dialup 56k seems to be the way to go, even if your surfing "experience" will be less than optimal.

but the forum rules proscribe posting the names

Nonsense! The forum rules only proscribe promoting your own product(s). I suggest you read the guidelines more carefully.

Seriously, it isn't a problem to post links to 3rd party sites - how else can we render assistance to the needy?!

Everything else you say is spot-on, though.

SD

As SD stated 3 do a pay-as-you-go service...I think that would be your best bet....Look here..
3 - Mobile Broadband - Pay As You Go (http://www.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/Pay_As_You_Go)

Worth checking that there is coverage in the area you are going to be. 3's coverage can be patchy away from main areas of population. Their site has a coverage map.

Thank you very much.

Has anyone had experience using the 3 dongle Pay-as-you-go? Does 7GB really give you 70hrs surfing time as it claims? One month internet will cost me around 50 pounds plus dongle cost! very expensive:ouch:

hits80, £70 for a month might be expensive, but as you only want connection for a month it might be your best option when speed of connection is of importance. Dial-up would be cheaper, but in the afternoon and evening the congested wires will cause you more grief than it's worth.

Everyday in an internet cafe will soon cure you of any reservations about a few pounds more, most are pretty grotty and non-secure should you wish to do any financial transactions and often invaded by game playing yoofs :hmm:. You might even include it in your business expenses if you're creative enough!

Perhaps in the coming times, there will be more possibilities for high quality temporary solutions, but for now it's hobson's choice.


Regards


SHJ

Friendly neighbour with a wifi router within range? This is the method I have used before on moving house before my own ADSL was connected up. Nice bottle of wine, job done.

If you want a PAYG dial up there are plenty of ISPs that still offer it. Cost is a few pence a minute though so dependent on usage the 3G modem could work out better value. (2hrs a day being roughly £72 over the month)

Just google for: 0845 dial up

Or look into FON (FON (http://www.fon.com)) - they have not got the high street presence they wanted, but hav quite a few hot spots residentailly.

Thank you all.

Just had a look at the dial up service plan, even at 1p a minute(as they claim), 70 hrs will cost me 42 pounds?!:hmm:

So, can someone confirm 7GB=70hrs (just normal surfing websites)

Try using this calculator to estimate your needs..
Broadband Download Usage / Bandwidth Limit Calculator (http://www.broadband.org/usage_calculator.html)