ditch my landline for mobile internet?

spellcaster · 14 Jan 2014 at 21:16

Hello,
I currently have my broadband by BT through my phoneline and into the bt hub where it goes wireless around the house. I dont use my phone much and paying line rental each month etc. I am thinking of getting rid of the landline and I was wondering if there is a device that will pick up mobile data and then stream it to my devices in the house. I know Orange did an unlimited data plan with a tethering option some time ago. Is the speed via mobile data there yet. I currently get 3mbs via my landline. Is dumping my landline for mobile networks currently a viable option. ?

Kreeeee · 14 Jan 2014 at 21:19

I tried to do that.

On most days it's ok, but it really is far too flaky to be used as a permanent solution. Inconsistent latency and the surprisingly frequent packet loss were a pain.

This was on Three's all you can eat service in the centre of Birmingham with a fantastic signal.

spellcaster · 14 Jan 2014 at 21:40

Oh so not s o good then. The coverage on their map is dicey to say the least in my area. Wonder if you can get it through a dish

Skilid · 15 Jan 2014 at 08:50

The speed is good, but connection can be intermittent and the latency is bad. I was thinking of doing the same thing, but I think I'm going to fork out for Virgin instead.

meandu229 · 15 Jan 2014 at 09:20

spellcaster said:
Oh so not s o good then. The coverage on their map is dicey to say the least in my area. Wonder if you can get it through a dish

Satellite broadband is getting much cheaper and better (although ive never used it) now the main issue is the latency would be no good for gaming but for general browsing should be fine, avonline do up to 20Mb down 6mb up with 10GB allowance for £25 p/m and then upwards for higher limits.

Swarfega · 15 Jan 2014 at 19:06

I'm no heavy downloaded but still consider a physical connection the only viable option still. I pay £26 a month for the basic broadband from Virgin which goes up to 50mb sometime this year. I need to ring them tbh and get that reduced considering people pay that for broadband and TV when saying they are leaving.

airwave99 · 15 Jan 2014 at 21:04

I'd definitely consider getting a cheap phone+broadband package over having mobile internet. Having tried mobile broadband for a couple of months (in an area with good coverage) I found the connection to be too variable and drop out intermittently.

spain · 15 Jan 2014 at 21:09

I have been doing what your interested in for the last 7 months and have had no issues in that time. I do game but single player, if you play any online multi player games latency will almost definitely be a problem. As for device I'm not sure, but all I do is place my phone in the middle of our building and all devices connect without a problem. This setup was only temporary but worked so well It's staying in place.

bottom-line is that you would be taking a chance, network problems... .

Glaucus · 15 Jan 2014 at 21:14

EliotG said:
The speed is good, but connection can be intermittent and the latency is bad. I was thinking of doing the same thing, but I think I'm going to fork out for Virgin instead.

Latency is absolutely fine in 4g, just that three don't really have 4g yet unless you're lucy.

EE are to expensive in 4g for home use.

Best thing is to get a three sim and keep doing speed tests throughout the day, and then see if how you feel once you've got several weeks of data. Minimum £10 top up though which is the draw back if testing.