My mobile phone is just that - no camera and PAYG, but, realising that a decade ago I probably wouldn't have even had that, and also realising that there are phones capable of internet access, I'm curious to learn how effective this is?
Firstly my comments are based on my local experience (Australia).
Six months ago I bought a low cost android device (Huawei Sonic) and purchased a sim card from a third party telco for which I use only the data component of the monthly renewable arrangement. For $9.90 AU I get 1 Gb of data per month. I could also use this device as a mobile phone for quite reasonable prepaid rates. However I've retained my existing prepaid mobile phone and provider because they offer better network coverage.
The results have been astonishing. I've found this works so well that I've been almost totally neglecting my previous netbook and wireless dongle traveling companions. I can manage almost all of my internet needs with the smaller and faster package. I've yet to use any more than 15% of my data allocation in any given month.
The major limitation is replying to emails, primarily because of the micro on screen 'keyboard' and my size 10 fingers. However for all other uses - weather, monitoring emails in, and casual on demand information requirements it's been a real boon.
I understand that with my contract, I pay for data received as well as sent, so it's worth keeping an eye on incoming traffic and the size of attachments you are about the receive.
As a. bonus it can also function as a self contained wireless hotspot or be tethered to a host computer with it's usb cable to give full and private internet facilities on that machine anywhere the service provider's network is available.
As I see things, it really depends on how much outgoing internet work you might do, and how much of a limitation the micro keyboard might be.
Personally I wouldn't be without this little device these days.
