Mobile broadband

Desert Orchid

Desert Orchid

Senior Jockey
Joined
Aug 2, 2005
Messages
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Another query...

(Remember I don't know much about the technology.)

A workmate was saying if my mobile phone can access the internet (which it is designed to do) I should be able to get online using my phone and a laptop.

Is this true? If so, how do I go about it?
 
I wouldn't bother DO - the charges are very, very expensive unless you are already on a contract which gives you free internet data usage.

Even then, they'll probably do you under the fair usage clause if your level of use suddenly goes up a lot.

If you still want to, it depends how you connect up your phone to your PC - does it have a usb cable to allow you to "tether" it? If not, you may have to resort to using Bluetooth (but your laptop will need to have bluetooth on it or you will need to purchase a bluetooth dongle).
 
OK - variation on a theme:

I borrowed a laptop from work the other night to check for wireless broadband locally. Most I picked up were secure-enables but there were two BT access channels. I think one was BTfon and the other BTzone or something.

They look like some kind of PAYG access - about £15 for 5 days, I think, but I can never tell if I'm reading all this techno stuff right. I'd probably pay £15 for five days' access if that was it.

Can anyone explain in layman's terms how it works?
 
Suggestion: You need to really shop around when you purchase a wireless broadband package, and you do need to know roughly the amount of usage (Gigs) you roughly use per month.

I have two set up, one for my uni work and the other for personal usage.

I pay around $80 a month for the both of them, which are optus and Vodafone. One is bundled into my mobile phone plan, whilst the other is a separate one on its own.

Some of the providers plans here in Australia differ significantly. Some require a minimum of 24 months, whilst others have 12 months committment. Also others may only work within the territory limits of the country you have purchased the plan.

Its a matter of what you need, and how you plan to use the internet.
 
I just want it for Cheltenham week. Dongles don't work in the area but I can borrow a laptop from work and pick up a wireless signal.
 
I've just bought a T-Mobile USB stick from Argos. Unlimited internet (subject to fair goes) for a year, £149.99. I'm a bit disappointed with the speed to be honest, but it's OK to use while watching the racing in the pub.
 
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