Brother wants a PS4 but as no internet, help

pumaz

pumaz

pumaz

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My brother is currently renting a flat that as no internet and isn't able to able to have virgin or BT installed. He wants to get a PS4 for Christmas but I told him he really needs an Internet connection to make full use of it. He's quite keen to game online.

I'm wondering if he could get a unlimited 4G data sim on payg that would do the job?

Does anyone have any experience or advice that could give?

Thanks
 
It's not even the online gaming aspect I'd be concerned about, but the lack of patches. The whole thing will be a miserable experience if he's playing games in the state they're released in.

As above though, sounds odd that he can't have broadband installed, he needs to talk to his landlord or letting agency.
 
I've gamed on my mobile data when I had internet issues, it wasn't bad at all. Still managed a sub-100 ping on most things and not even on full signal. Giffgaff do an "unlimited" 4G data sim for £20 per month. It's throttled after the first 6GB but as there is no contract involved there is no harm in trying it out.
 
Clav said:
I've gamed on my mobile data when I had internet issues, it wasn't bad at all. Still managed a sub-100 ping on most things and not even on full signal. Giffgaff do an "unlimited" 4G data sim for £20 per month. It's throttled after the first 6GB but as there is no contract involved there is no harm in trying it out.
Click to expand...

They'll cut off the teethering after 6gb so all it'll take is a few game updates and your stuffed for the rest of the month. but the "Data only" package designed for mobile broadband are £7.50 a month for 1gb. so one game update and maybe a system update if your lucky.

Is any 4G available in the area is the next question? For example if the Three network has 4G you can look at these: http://www.idmobile.co.uk/shop/pay-monthly/Huawei-4G-MiFi?tid=IDWDI004

20gb for £20 is really the best you'll get. EE will be £20 for 15GB. Vodafone £20 for 20gb (but £49 upfront on a 1 month rolling. Guess thats for the modem where as ID charge £10 for the modem).

But have a look at what the signal is like. I've used 3G in the past for streaming and a little bit of gaming via a PC. That was around 70 ping.

Failing that any BT router's around that offer Wifi £15 a month but a 12 month contract http://www.btwifi.co.uk/
 
If he can take the PS4 to a friend's place every time an update is needed, then it's worth a shot to at least test what it's like to play over 4G. He would need to make sure that all auto-update functionality is disabled, and if he launches a game and it says "update needed", then he has to go back to the friend's place to download the update. Sounds like a lot of hassle to me.
 
4G is a great temporary solution and the speeds/latency really aren't THAT bad. Playable in all but the most competitive games.

Though a dedicated broadband would certainly be wiser.
 
I think in his situation i'd get one, take it round a friends and whore bandwidth to get it patched up and up to date with a good set of games and then go home and use 4g to keep it ticking over.
If the ps4 has an overnight stay once in a while for a few beers it will be fine although i'd say he would be best sticking to offline games.
 
Any free wifi hot spots in a reasonable line of site? Make friends with a neighbor who has wifi and would share for a few quid and just don't take the ****.
 
Some great suggestions thanks guys, he lives in Nottingham city centre so BT, Virgin and all mobile networks will be available. I'll ask him again if there's any possibility of having Virgin or BT, like the idea of asking a neighbor but failing this one of the £20 4G sim deals in conjunction with bringing his console round to mine to do updates and download PSN games etc. Sounds a good idea.

Would 15GB a month be enough for gaming and general use without updates etc. Also is there a a preferable network when it comes to 4G gaming?

Thanks again :)
 
pumaz said:
Some great suggestions thanks guys, he lives in Nottingham city centre so BT, Virgin and all mobile networks will be available. I'll ask him again if there's any possibility of having Virgin or BT, like the idea of asking a neighbor but failing this one of the £20 4G sim deals in conjunction with bringing his console round to mine to do updates and download PSN games etc. Sounds a good idea.

Would 15GB a month be enough for gaming and general use without updates etc. Also is there a a preferable network when it comes to 4G gaming?

Thanks again :)
Click to expand...

Depends on location but in my experience EE is the far superior provider my phone reaches speeds up to 120mb/s
 
This brings back memories of back in the day when we all used to go to a mate's house with our PCs and giant monitors to play Starcraft. You young whipper-snappers have no idea how good you have it. =)
 
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