elwheel
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,912
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September 2008
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by elwheel on Nov 10, 2014 20:00:53 GMT 1, Need some advice from technosavvy forumites please.
My brother who lives in Berlin is going to stay with my mother for a week in Manchester. He wants to be able to work from her house while he is there and he needs the internet. My mother has none and is unlikely to ever want it. She is 83 and would probably go looking for broadband in her sewing box.
I live in Belfast and said I would get him sorted with some kind of portable BB dongle but I have no idea what I am looking for. He basically needs good quality broadband for a week, he says about 4gb, and he is using an 18mth old laptop with USB ports and windows 7. What's the best and most economical way to do this?
Any links most appreciated. Thanks
Need some advice from technosavvy forumites please.
My brother who lives in Berlin is going to stay with my mother for a week in Manchester. He wants to be able to work from her house while he is there and he needs the internet. My mother has none and is unlikely to ever want it. She is 83 and would probably go looking for broadband in her sewing box.
I live in Belfast and said I would get him sorted with some kind of portable BB dongle but I have no idea what I am looking for. He basically needs good quality broadband for a week, he says about 4gb, and he is using an 18mth old laptop with USB ports and windows 7. What's the best and most economical way to do this?
Any links most appreciated. Thanks
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Hubble Bubble
Junior Member
Posts โข 4,099
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December 2010
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by Hubble Bubble on Nov 10, 2014 20:05:25 GMT 1, If he has a modern smartphone with a reasonable data allowance, he could simply use his phone to create a personal hotspot and use this. I do this all the time in Manchester by simply hooking up my macbook air to my iPhone's 4G connection with EEโฆ Data roaming charges now are much more affordable on an inter-European basis.
If he has a modern smartphone with a reasonable data allowance, he could simply use his phone to create a personal hotspot and use this. I do this all the time in Manchester by simply hooking up my macbook air to my iPhone's 4G connection with EEโฆ Data roaming charges now are much more affordable on an inter-European basis.
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jimmy
New Member
Posts โข 240
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August 2014
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by jimmy on Nov 10, 2014 20:15:06 GMT 1, yea, a smartphone or prepaid smart phone with a hotspot feature or app is the way to go.
yea, a smartphone or prepaid smart phone with a hotspot feature or app is the way to go.
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Sohoria
New Member
Posts โข 964
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August 2009
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by Sohoria on Nov 10, 2014 20:16:05 GMT 1, Creating a hotspot would be the best option. If only there for a week would be expensive option to pay ยฃ30 for a dongle on pay as you go and even with that would need to pay probably extra to get close to the 4gb required.
Know the neighbours? Long shot But if not downloading videos etc maybe worth a try?
Creating a hotspot would be the best option. If only there for a week would be expensive option to pay ยฃ30 for a dongle on pay as you go and even with that would need to pay probably extra to get close to the 4gb required.
Know the neighbours? Long shot But if not downloading videos etc maybe worth a try?
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elwheel
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,912
Likes โข 232
September 2008
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by elwheel on Nov 10, 2014 20:23:02 GMT 1, Thanks folks, he has an iPhone and a German contract so get him to look at creating a hotspot? Might get him on here' , he was a member years before ME and probably still has his log-in details.
Thanks folks, he has an iPhone and a German contract so get him to look at creating a hotspot? Might get him on here' , he was a member years before ME and probably still has his log-in details.
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johnnyh
Junior Member
Posts โข 4,492
Likes โข 2,102
March 2011
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by johnnyh on Nov 10, 2014 20:23:16 GMT 1, What you actually want is one of these.
Works better than a phone by miles as you just buy data no call time etc. works really well. I use at my mum and dads and travelling all over the world etc. You can just buy a SIM card stick it in and it will pick up a signal.
Not sure where you get them in the UK but you can get the data sims easily. We use this all the time your Ipad and comp just pick it up in wireless as a data link.
What you actually want is one of these. Works better than a phone by miles as you just buy data no call time etc. works really well. I use at my mum and dads and travelling all over the world etc. You can just buy a SIM card stick it in and it will pick up a signal. Not sure where you get them in the UK but you can get the data sims easily. We use this all the time your Ipad and comp just pick it up in wireless as a data link. |
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johnnyh
Junior Member
Posts โข 4,492
Likes โข 2,102
March 2011
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by johnnyh on Nov 10, 2014 20:26:53 GMT 1, 
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elwheel
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,912
Likes โข 232
September 2008
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by elwheel on Nov 10, 2014 20:31:25 GMT 1, ^ that looks like a solution right there. What do they call it where you're from johnnyh?
^ that looks like a solution right there. What do they call it where you're from johnnyh?
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johnnyh
Junior Member
Posts โข 4,492
Likes โข 2,102
March 2011
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by johnnyh on Nov 10, 2014 20:42:50 GMT 1, Ha ha no idea what they call it but it is good. I know bt do one as my bro uses one as he does a lot of data stuff so has it in case on of his connections goes down or is travelling. So you could also check with who does your internet or a computer supplies type shop and bring the pics. Sorry can't be more helpful but this ones from China and no idea what there called.
Ha ha no idea what they call it but it is good. I know bt do one as my bro uses one as he does a lot of data stuff so has it in case on of his connections goes down or is travelling. So you could also check with who does your internet or a computer supplies type shop and bring the pics. Sorry can't be more helpful but this ones from China and no idea what there called.
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Deleted
Posts โข 0
Likes โข
January 1970
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 21:01:17 GMT 1, Its Mifi
Can buy them Pc world, internet etc
Some are locked
They are good though
I used them for a month or so waiting for broadband to be installed in new house, got 12mb out of it
I was with EE pay as you go, when you reach limite, pay for more, no contracts blah blah
Its Mifi
Can buy them Pc world, internet etc
Some are locked
They are good though
I used them for a month or so waiting for broadband to be installed in new house, got 12mb out of it
I was with EE pay as you go, when you reach limite, pay for more, no contracts blah blah
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Deleted
Posts โข 0
Likes โข
January 1970
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 21:02:24 GMT 1, Also good for long car journeys with teenagers :-)
You can connect 5 things to it wirelessly
Also good for long car journeys with teenagers :-)
You can connect 5 things to it wirelessly
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Deleted
Posts โข 0
Likes โข
January 1970
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 21:22:30 GMT 1, I used/rented one of those will travelling through Japan recently, great to have on train/car journeys, airport etc great to be mobileโฆ wish I'd brought it home but I wasn't 100% sure it'd still work in the UK?
Stuck it in the post box at the airportโฆ easy
I used/rented one of those will travelling through Japan recently, great to have on train/car journeys, airport etc great to be mobileโฆ wish I'd brought it home but I wasn't 100% sure it'd still work in the UK?
Stuck it in the post box at the airportโฆ easy
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jlf
New Member
Posts โข 447
Likes โข 216
July 2014
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by jlf on Nov 10, 2014 21:29:17 GMT 1, you can pick one up on ebay for like ยฃ25, if you shop around I bet you could get one for less than that
you can pick one up on ebay for like ยฃ25, if you shop around I bet you could get one for less than that
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Rolex
New Member
Posts โข 646
Likes โข 234
May 2011
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by Rolex on Nov 10, 2014 22:23:59 GMT 1, Its Mifi Can buy them Pc world, internet etc Some are locked They are good though I used them for a month or so waiting for broadband to be installed in new house, got 12mb out of it I was with EE pay as you go, when you reach limite, pay for more, no contracts blah blah
and how much are they.
cheers.
Its Mifi Can buy them Pc world, internet etc Some are locked They are good though I used them for a month or so waiting for broadband to be installed in new house, got 12mb out of it I was with EE pay as you go, when you reach limite, pay for more, no contracts blah blah So how much would it cost to say view this forum for an hour on pay as you go. and how much are they. cheers. |
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Rolex
New Member
Posts โข 646
Likes โข 234
May 2011
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by Rolex on Nov 10, 2014 22:41:12 GMT 1, Stil haven't a clue what mb or gb I would use.
If I just wanted to use my iPad in a car and say look at this forum and eBay, send and receive emails
No downloads no videos no music, what pay as you go package would I require.
Thanks.
Stil haven't a clue what mb or gb I would use.
If I just wanted to use my iPad in a car and say look at this forum and eBay, send and receive emails
No downloads no videos no music, what pay as you go package would I require.
Thanks.
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jlf
New Member
Posts โข 447
Likes โข 216
July 2014
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by jlf on Nov 10, 2014 22:51:40 GMT 1, If you buy say 1gb of data (it's about ยฃ10-15ish pay as you go) that would cover you for like 120 hours of web surfing roughly, unless it's picture intensive then maybe half it and your not going to be a million miles away.
This might help giffgaff.com/how-much-data-do-i-need
If you buy say 1gb of data (it's about ยฃ10-15ish pay as you go) that would cover you for like 120 hours of web surfing roughly, unless it's picture intensive then maybe half it and your not going to be a million miles away. This might help giffgaff.com/how-much-data-do-i-need |
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jlf
New Member
Posts โข 447
Likes โข 216
July 2014
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by jlf on Nov 10, 2014 22:54:20 GMT 1, check the T&C's on the service provider for how long you get to use it, but I would go with on that lets you buy say 5gb and then it lasts you as long as it takes you to use it before paying again, rather than a monthly contract as from what you are saying I doubt you would use a huge amount of data
check the T&C's on the service provider for how long you get to use it, but I would go with on that lets you buy say 5gb and then it lasts you as long as it takes you to use it before paying again, rather than a monthly contract as from what you are saying I doubt you would use a huge amount of data
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Rolex
New Member
Posts โข 646
Likes โข 234
May 2011
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by Rolex on Nov 10, 2014 23:07:10 GMT 1, Thanks jlf
1 more question
if I bought ยฃ15 worth of say 1gb pay as you go, how long would it last if I used it infrequently
in other words is their a time limit on it or does it last until I've used all my data.
hope this makes sence.
thanks you've just answered my question.
Thanks jlf
1 more question
if I bought ยฃ15 worth of say 1gb pay as you go, how long would it last if I used it infrequently
in other words is their a time limit on it or does it last until I've used all my data.
hope this makes sence.
thanks you've just answered my question.
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jlf
New Member
Posts โข 447
Likes โข 216
July 2014
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by jlf on Nov 10, 2014 23:22:52 GMT 1, I presumed it would be like mobile phone pay as you go where it's umlimited time, but all the ones I looked at were 30 day limit, which is a bit of a pain
giffgaff.com/gigabags these are only ยฃ5 per month which isn't too bad and was the best deal I could find when I had a quick look
I've always had it from work so they've paid for it it so I don't know a huge amount about the best deal I know I use it a lot (not for video or music) and I rarely go over 1gb, maybe others have more experience on the best deals for price
I presumed it would be like mobile phone pay as you go where it's umlimited time, but all the ones I looked at were 30 day limit, which is a bit of a pain giffgaff.com/gigabags these are only ยฃ5 per month which isn't too bad and was the best deal I could find when I had a quick look I've always had it from work so they've paid for it it so I don't know a huge amount about the best deal I know I use it a lot (not for video or music) and I rarely go over 1gb, maybe others have more experience on the best deals for price |
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elwheel
Junior Member
Posts โข 1,912
Likes โข 232
September 2008
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by elwheel on Nov 10, 2014 23:40:07 GMT 1, Thanks very much folks - couldn't ask for more.
Thanks very much folks - couldn't ask for more.
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singerstu
New Member
Posts โข 757
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December 2007
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by singerstu on Nov 11, 2014 0:31:37 GMT 1, If the device is unlocked you can probably get a free T Mobile sim top up with ยฃ2.50, text WEB to 441 put it in the mi fi and get 5 days unlimited internet subject to fair use. T mobile say you can't put the sim into a mi fi device but I can't see how they can stop you if it fits.
If the device is unlocked you can probably get a free T Mobile sim top up with ยฃ2.50, text WEB to 441 put it in the mi fi and get 5 days unlimited internet subject to fair use. T mobile say you can't put the sim into a mi fi device but I can't see how they can stop you if it fits.
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jlf
New Member
Posts โข 447
Likes โข 216
July 2014
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What is portable broadband and what do i need?, by jlf on Nov 11, 2014 9:07:23 GMT 1, Not sure how, but I think they will detect if it's used for tethering other devices. It will be the same as you are not meant to use your phone as a wifi hot spot on most deals. I doubt they could do this quickly, but you might find you get banded if you use it for any long period of time
Not sure how, but I think they will detect if it's used for tethering other devices. It will be the same as you are not meant to use your phone as a wifi hot spot on most deals. I doubt they could do this quickly, but you might find you get banded if you use it for any long period of time
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Then load the sim up with credit(all done via the laptop)three network. Or buy a brand new pre-loaded simcard likeโฆ
