Ok so i've reason to look at mobile broadband now. I have resisted all these years, never used it on a laptop or even a mobile phone.. I'm now considering it for two reasons. 1: i have need for it. 2: there is a deal that could work out good enough value to tempt me. Many things i have to ask, or need explaining to me 
I've no idea how much data browsing/chatting/facebook games etc use. I've always been on unlimited internet at home even in the 56k days when the line speed was the limiting factor. I'll be keeping up my unlimited connection at home for any stuff i need to download.
I won't be watching 'tube videos on the mobile net, just as i say browsing and chat rooms. forums mostly but some e-shops.
The deal i am looking at is 3's 12gb/12mo pay as you go deal. I will not have contract services. I'm figuring if i can keep within my 1gb/month that deal will last me 12 months which i will be happy with.
My netbook has a sim slot on the back (acer aspire 531 ZG8) for mobile bb. This means i don't have to buy a dongle? they make the 3 deal pretty expensive.. no dongle is cheap as chips. 52 quid.
Can i put said sim into my own dongle later if i buy one?
3's website says Outdoor coverage in my area.. but it's a tiny area surrounded by loads of indoor/outdoor coverage. It's possible my bit is too high - we're on a hill. Is their info accurate? (edit: i'm in a big city)
Is there any way of fitting an external antenna to a netbook's inboard 3g? just in the very likely case i don't get any connection inside, it isnt beyond me to open the now out of warranty acer and fit an antenna socket, and i dont want to have to sit outside with my netbook it coming up to winter and all.. there's basically no point if i cant use it inside (my girls flat)
i'll probably have more questions once these have been answered. I'm not in a position where i can waste 50 pounds on something that doesn't do what i need it to - and any other deals are out of the question unless some other provider can provide me with 12 months mobile payg internet for fifty quid.. so i really need to get this straight in my head before i go buy something.
I have thought about putting the dongle on the end of a long USB cable and sticking it in a better position... but that would mean buying a dongle.. which is expensive from 3 - are there any cheap ones that work and would take the 3g sim from the sim only deal?
I've no idea how much data browsing/chatting/facebook games etc use. I've always been on unlimited internet at home even in the 56k days when the line speed was the limiting factor. I'll be keeping up my unlimited connection at home for any stuff i need to download.
I won't be watching 'tube videos on the mobile net, just as i say browsing and chat rooms. forums mostly but some e-shops.
The deal i am looking at is 3's 12gb/12mo pay as you go deal. I will not have contract services. I'm figuring if i can keep within my 1gb/month that deal will last me 12 months which i will be happy with.
My netbook has a sim slot on the back (acer aspire 531 ZG8) for mobile bb. This means i don't have to buy a dongle? they make the 3 deal pretty expensive.. no dongle is cheap as chips. 52 quid.
Can i put said sim into my own dongle later if i buy one?
3's website says Outdoor coverage in my area.. but it's a tiny area surrounded by loads of indoor/outdoor coverage. It's possible my bit is too high - we're on a hill. Is their info accurate? (edit: i'm in a big city)
Is there any way of fitting an external antenna to a netbook's inboard 3g? just in the very likely case i don't get any connection inside, it isnt beyond me to open the now out of warranty acer and fit an antenna socket, and i dont want to have to sit outside with my netbook it coming up to winter and all.. there's basically no point if i cant use it inside (my girls flat)
i'll probably have more questions once these have been answered. I'm not in a position where i can waste 50 pounds on something that doesn't do what i need it to - and any other deals are out of the question unless some other provider can provide me with 12 months mobile payg internet for fifty quid.. so i really need to get this straight in my head before i go buy something.
I have thought about putting the dongle on the end of a long USB cable and sticking it in a better position... but that would mean buying a dongle.. which is expensive from 3 - are there any cheap ones that work and would take the 3g sim from the sim only deal?
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