USB 3g dongle

[Matt_B]

I am going on a school residential in March and will need to upload photos to the school website daily. Last year, their promised WiFi was non-existent and I ended up tethering my laptop to my phone to do it. This year, I'd like to take a Pay as you go internet dongle but they all seem really expensive to buy. I know Jeff has advised on SIM cards before, are there any cheap dongles that I can just throw a tenner on? I'll need less than a gig of data I think.

 

[SJN-Fox]

I bought an O2 one from ebay a few years ago, cost me about a tenner or so and just works on a PAYG basis, a couple of quid for a 24 hour period.

 

[Biffa Bacon]

For around £60 you can get a 3 mobile dongle preloaded with 12gig of data which last for a year on ebay, I've bought a couple of these in the past so that the OH can completed here court reports whilst travelling home or still at the court.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-MOBILE-..._Mobile_Broadband_Devices&hash=item484f25ee57

 

[Matt_B]

For around £60 you can get a 3 mobile dongle preloaded with 12gig of data which last for a year on ebay, I've bought a couple of these in the past so that the OH can completed here court reports whilst travelling home or still at the court.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-MOBILE-..._Mobile_Broadband_Devices&hash=item484f25ee57

That's about the price I'd seen but it'll only be one trip I'll use it for. Might try to find one of the tenner ones. cheers both.

 

[Jeff]

There's one at Argos at the moment for around £20 that includes 3 months of data. It doesn't say how much that is though. I assume 3gb.
But before you buy anything I suggest you check the 3g availability in the area where you're staying so you don't buy it for a network that's got no signal.

 

[Jeff]

This looks a good deal, if you'll be in a good O2 signal area: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5491047.htm

 

[Matt_B]

There's one at Argos at the moment for around £20 that includes 3 months of data. It doesn't say how much that is though. I assume 3gb.
But before you buy anything I suggest you check the 3g availability in the area where you're staying so you don't buy it for a network that's got no signal.

Is there a way to check the signal other than going there?

 

[Jeff]

The mobile network websites have coverage maps

 

[Matt_B]

This looks a good deal, if you'll be in a good O2 signal area: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5491047.htm

I'll check coverage but that seems perfect cheers.

 

[Jeff]

I'll check coverage but that seems perfect cheers.

Looks like it's out of stock in the Leicester area.

 

[Matt_B]

Looks like it's out of stock in the Leicester area.

No matter, O2 has no coverage in the area. T-mobile has moderate so might try theirs, or just use my phone and the WordPress app.

 

[manxfox]

3 will give you the best coverage - and the best value if you are a heavy user. Stay clear of any contracts tho, even short term ones as they are a fecker to get out of

 

[FryattFox]

3 will give you the best coverage - and the best value if you are a heavy user. Stay clear of any contracts tho, even short term ones as they are a fecker to get out of

3's coverage is shite, from my experience.

And quite a few other people's judging by a quick google.

 

[SJN-Fox]

Is there a McDonalds in the area? Most of them have free wifi.

 

[spionfox]

3 will give you the best coverage - and the best value if you are a heavy user. Stay clear of any contracts tho, even short term ones as they are a fecker to get out of

I've got a 3 dongle and buy the 3GB sim from Amazon at around £12. Never ceases to amaze me that it is cheaper to change the sim rather than top it up.

 

[Jeff]

3's coverage is shite, from my experience.

And quite a few other people's judging by a quick google.

I've found Three to be pretty good, with O2 being the worst for a 3G signal. It all depends on location though.

 

[FryattFox]

I've found Three to be pretty good, with O2 being the worst for a 3G signal. It all depends on location though.

Vice versus here, but as you say guess it depends on the area a lot.

Still pretty ludicrous that we can *insert great mankind achievement here* but you can't use your mobile phone in various towns or when you're in parts of the countryside.

 

[Matt_B]

We are going to Boreatton Park which is in the middle of nowhere so not near McDonalds etc. I'll check the 3 signal later, I forgot about them.