Need Internet whilst on the move - but not contract?

Ice Rich

Ice Rich

Ice Rich

Soldato
Joined
3 Dec 2004
Posts
2,639
Hi all,

For work I need internet whilst out of the office really but don't want to go the iphone and contract route.

What are my options guys, are there any PAYG type services. I presume I would need some kind of sim?

Totally new to this so ANY advice much appreciated,

Kind regards,
 
Are you looking for a phone with Internet access, or a way to access the Internet on say a laptop whilst on the move?

Either way Giff Gaff is probably the best value pay as you go service. You pay £10 and get unlimited Internet access for a month (you also get unlimited texts and 200 minutes of calls for that. )
 
you can get PAYG sims with data for about £10/month. I have one with O2 that has 500mb/500 texts and the £10 call credit. If you use up all the data allowance it then uses the call credit at £1/day but limited use.
 
Many thanks for replies,

I never realized I could get mobile internet access for so cheap per month. Is there a catch? :) I pay £20 for min speed virgin media at home.

I take it though all these PAYG options work by sim therefore I would be limited to a smartphone rather then small laptop?

Many thanks,
 
Kreeeee said:
You can get a £5 USB 3g modem to put the sim into, or use a MiFi to setup a wireless access point.
Click to expand...

Wow, that sounds ideal. So I can swap between laptop and smart phone when needed? Would that USB modem need some kind of aerial?

What kind of smart phone / small PDA's would you recommend?

Kind regards,
 
Ice Rich said:
Wow, that sounds ideal. So I can swap between laptop and smart phone when needed? Would that USB modem need some kind of aerial?
Click to expand...

Yep in theory it's that simple. Another alternative is a feature on Android smartphones called Wifi Hotspot (or tethering), it effectively makes your phone work as a wifi router. You connect your laptop via wifi and browse away.

One thing to be aware of is that some networks don't allow this, nor do they allow you to use the sim in a 3g dongle. You'll need to check the T&Cs but i don't think this is allowed with GiffGaff.

Ice Rich said:
What kind of smart phone / small PDA's would you recommend?
Click to expand...

How much can you spend? Exactly what will you use it for?

If browsing is very important then Samsung Galaxy Note has a very big screen, it's not cheap though. Samsung Galaxy S2 is generally considered to be the best value high spec phone. Then there are cheaper options (<£150) as well.
 
Ice Rich said:
Wow, that sounds ideal. So I can swap between laptop and smart phone when needed? Would that USB modem need some kind of aerial?

What kind of smart phone / small PDA's would you recommend?

Kind regards,
Click to expand...

Not on giffgaff, well you can but if caught you get banned, tethering and use on tablets etc is barred. Unless you opt for their data goodybags which are much more costly

Data bags
http://giffgaff.com/goodybags.html#data

Phone plans
http://giffgaff.com/goodybags.html#data
 
Glaucus said:
Not on giffgaff, well you can but if caught you get banned, tethering and use on tablets etc is barred. Unless you opt for their data goodybags which are much more costly
Click to expand...

So I cannot take the sim out and put it in the laptop, i need to keep it in the smartphone?

Do you think it is best keeping phone and internet sim separate?
That way if ever i move on from giffgaff i'll not be tied in with the number?
 
If you want tethering you would be better of looking at three/orange. I'm pretty sure they allow it. Think three is £15 a month. You would need to double check though.
 
Last edited:
Glaucus said:
If you want tethering you would be better of looking at three/orange. I'm pretty sure they allow it. Think three is £15 a month. You would need to double check though.
Click to expand...

Can you explain what exactly Tethering is please Glaucus? I can't quite get my head around it. Many thanks,
 
Guys, just looking around and the A5000 Google Android seems a good phone - what are the opinions on this. It is dual sim so hopefully i'll be able to do the above with it (giffgaff)?

Thanks,
 
You don't need a phone with 2 sims.

My advice (you should wait to hear other opinions too) would be to buy a phone like the Samsung Galaxy Ace. It's a decent little smartphone for the price. It's in lacking in some departments like screen resolution but good smartphones cost £250+.

You can access the internet on your phone while out and about, including email and the web.

For times when you need internet on your laptop you can use the Wifi Hotspot (tethering) feature on the phone. This feature turns your phone into a router, just like your router at home. With your laptop you can then connect to the wifi signal from your phone. This will give you internet access on your laptop via your phone. (Youtube guide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUmZeDQ7Bn8)

You only need 1 simcard for this and don't need to take it out of the phone. Tethering is not allowed by Giffgaff so it looks like one of the other suggestions will be your best bet. I've just had a look on the three.co.uk website and there is a pay as you go sim where £15 buys you unlimited data, 300mins and 3000texts.
 
Glaucus said:
If you want tethering you would be better of looking at three/orange. I'm pretty sure they allow it. Think three is £15 a month. You would need to double check though.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I'm on Orange, and my account (see screenie here) seems to say it's ok. Very last word on that picture.

Orange.png
 
Grrrrr said:
You don't need a phone with 2 sims.

My advice (you should wait to hear other opinions too) would be to buy a phone like the Samsung Galaxy Ace. It's a decent little smartphone for the price. It's in lacking in some departments like screen resolution but good smartphones cost £250+.

You can access the internet on your phone while out and about, including email and the web.

For times when you need internet on your laptop you can use the Wifi Hotspot (tethering) feature on the phone. This feature turns your phone into a router, just like your router at home. With your laptop you can then connect to the wifi signal from your phone. This will give you internet access on your laptop via your phone. (Youtube guide: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUmZeDQ7Bn8)

You only need 1 simcard for this and don't need to take it out of the phone. Tethering is not allowed by Giffgaff so it looks like one of the other suggestions will be your best bet. I've just had a look on the three.co.uk website and there is a pay as you go sim where £15 buys you unlimited data, 300mins and 3000texts.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys,
But would you not say having 2 sims would allow me to keep phone seperate? And then if I did change internet package in future I could just change sim?
Can this be done with a dual sim phone or it that not the main purpose of having 2 slots?

Kind regards,
 
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