UK wirelss broadband - short term
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: WA
UK wirelss broadband - short term
Travelling to UK later this year and just wondering what my options are to get an internet connection for short duration contract perhaps using a wireless USB modem or similar.
Any info or leads greatly appreciated.
Any info or leads greatly appreciated.
Red On, Green On
Joined: May 2004
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From: Between the woods and the water
Any of the pay as you go 3g USB dongles will get you connected, but they'll be expensive if you start downloading lots of movies/music. Our mobile carriers are Vodafone, O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Three.
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Witnesham, Suffolk
Are you going to be in one fixed location, or moving about a lot?
In the former case, there may be an available access point (for example, in a hotel).
If you're on the road, then it means a WiFi dongle on a cellular network. Not cheap, but the good ones work well.
In the former case, there may be an available access point (for example, in a hotel).
If you're on the road, then it means a WiFi dongle on a cellular network. Not cheap, but the good ones work well.
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Twickenham, home of rugby
A wifi card - PC Card or USB - is obviously essential.
I would think that for that length of time you would be better off looking for standard wifi hotspots rather than 3G.
You can use a mix of either free (e.g. McDonalds), paid on the spot (e.g. Hotels, Wetherspoons, voucher-per-drink) or using a roaming payg account like Freedom4 (previously known as BOZII) or BT Openzone.
SD
I would think that for that length of time you would be better off looking for standard wifi hotspots rather than 3G.
You can use a mix of either free (e.g. McDonalds), paid on the spot (e.g. Hotels, Wetherspoons, voucher-per-drink) or using a roaming payg account like Freedom4 (previously known as BOZII) or BT Openzone.
SD
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Gold Coast, Australia
I was in UK for 5 weeks in April/May this year, and initially looked at buying a 3 dongle, as they are substantially cheaper than in Australia!
Having gone through every one in the PC store (can't remember the name) and not found one that would work, I gave up. The store checked each one on their PC's (mine's a Mac) and also had each one fail
So I finished up using wireless networks, which worked just fine around all of England (and a bit of Wales
). But if I'd got a working dongle, it may have been more convenient in the long run 
Having gone through every one in the PC store (can't remember the name) and not found one that would work, I gave up. The store checked each one on their PC's (mine's a Mac) and also had each one fail
So I finished up using wireless networks, which worked just fine around all of England (and a bit of Wales
). But if I'd got a working dongle, it may have been more convenient in the long run
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: age (It's French for cheese. This made sense when it said From and not Location)
I had a 3 USB mobile broadband device. This had no contract and gave me 12gb for £100 and lasts for 12 months. I believe they also have smaller data packages for less money. Worked really well for me, I ended up using about 600mb per month, using the internet every evening.
I also think they have a 14 day return policy which would be handy.
I also think they have a 14 day return policy which would be handy.
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Bracknell, Berks, UK
If you have an iPhone 3G/3Gs, possibly look at an O2 data SIM and 'tethering'?
Alternatively, keep your eyes open for cheap deals nearer the time. There was a deal last week for a free 3-mobile USB dongle with a PAYG deal on one of the websites I saw.
Alternatively, keep your eyes open for cheap deals nearer the time. There was a deal last week for a free 3-mobile USB dongle with a PAYG deal on one of the websites I saw.
Official PPRuNe Chaplain
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Witnesham, Suffolk
Tethering an iPhone is the worst deal you can go for. That's the wacky iPhone contract on O2 in the UK.
Tethering my HTC seems to work just fine - I've not been charged a penny (yet) for using it with my laptop. It comes within the "reasonable use" unlimited Internet.
However, I understand a USB dongle is a lot faster. £100 for 12GB for 12 months doesn't look all bad. I don't know if they'd offer a 2-month deal (or whatever).
Tethering my HTC seems to work just fine - I've not been charged a penny (yet) for using it with my laptop. It comes within the "reasonable use" unlimited Internet.
However, I understand a USB dongle is a lot faster. £100 for 12GB for 12 months doesn't look all bad. I don't know if they'd offer a 2-month deal (or whatever).
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Bracknell, Berks, UK
I dont want to rock the boat at the moment but tethering is about the worst option cost wise you can go for.
I must admit though, I haven't tethered either (due to the rubbish cost) so have no idea if this is how they initiate it. IIRC an unlocked iPhone could have a 3rd party app to do tethering anyway.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: WA
but since he's coming from the US
Bigpond in Australia also have a dialup roaming system which cost wise is also pretty astronomical not to mention the dramas of finding a line to connect to.
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: U.K
Yeah they are but can be unlocked quite cheaply or even for free depending on which one you get.
