Decided I want to look into getting broadband on the move. This would be used only for a laptop. Not interested in a piephone / smartphone with web browsing

I understand you can get them on PAYG or contract, although 18 months seems to be the shortest. Also, the PAYG all seem to have their allowance / credit expire at the end of each month so can't see the benefit of that?

Numpty-techie question: do all 3G USB dongles have a normal SIM inside them and allow you to take the SIM out and place it in a laptop if the latter has a 3G modem built in?

I'd hate go get a USB modem then 6 months down the line get a 3G-enabled laptop and still have to have the USB thing sticking out the side.

Also, any recommendations in terms of who/what to go for? I don't want Orange (long story).

Usage is likely to be light, less than a GB a month. Also won't be used internationally, so not interested in getting a more expensive deal if it offers cheap roaming costs.

Whatdoyathink?

i've got one on contract from orange, and mine has a seperate sim card that you can remove from the device.. as far as a i can tell there's absolutely no benefit from having one on contract.. when i first got mine about nearly 2 years ago the geezer in the phones 4 u shop told me they weren't going to be available on PAYG ever but low and behold 3 months later asda were knocking them out for like £20.. sadly i was tied into a 2 year contract which will expire in december..

the only downside to getting them on PAYG is as you have already said, the credit expires after 30 days, but is that really bad?? you would be paying a monthly fee if it were on contract, and at least if it's PAYG you can decide not to use it for a few months and not have to pay anything like you would on contract..

i seem to recall seeing 02 offering them or PAYG with a 'one off' fee where if you use it you pay £1.50 per day and the credit doesn't expire EDIT: it's £2 per day

Edited 9 October, 201015 yr by TeflonTom

I got one for free off orange, it's tied to my mobile contract, it's a penny per Mb only chargeable if I use it, which I havn't yet tbh. No monthly charge etc.

HTH

Edit ...........Just re-read your post Xav. I am about as much use as a choclate teapot

Numpty-techie question: do all 3G USB dongles have a normal SIM inside them and allow you to take the SIM out and place it in a laptop if the latter has a 3G modem built in?

To my knowledge, yes.

Numpty-techie question: do all 3G USB dongles have a normal SIM inside them and allow you to take the SIM out and place it in a laptop if the latter has a 3G modem built in?

I'd hate go get a USB modem then 6 months down the line get a 3G-enabled laptop and still have to have the USB thing sticking out the side.

I have a 3 one which is £10/GB PAYG valid for 30 days. I flashed the firmware on the USB modem, and now I can use my vodafone sim in too (and I seem to get free internet on it )

As an added bonus, I can whack my USB modem into the back of my router, and if my ADSL drops out, I can still have internet piped around the house via cat5 & wifi.

If your running windows, remember that some WIndows updates can be pretty chunky.....

You will need to check what the coverage is like in you given area. 3 is pants where I live, but vodafone is champ. I generally only use when I am away for work (and work is too tight to pay for internet access in hotels )

vodafone do them where the credit doesn't ever expire. I got on, toped up with 15 quid 6 months ago and it's still working

Thanks for the answers.

You are more useful than a chocolate tea pot mate The orange story is for one down at the pub if you want to hear me ranting!

vodafone do them where the credit doesn't ever expire. I got on, toped up with 15 quid 6 months ago and it's still working

Any link? I'll have a look, probably was an offer which has now expired...

Ta muchly

I use a Three MIFI (3G wireless router). £15 per month on a 1 month rolling contract and for that I get 5GB per month. Never got anywhere near that, and seem to get a fast 3G connection 90% of the time.

You can connect 5 devices to the MIFI using standard WIFI, so no drivers or USB dongles to plug in, and you can place it somewhere in the room where reception is better (eg. by a window). Wireless range is good, and the new MIFI has excellent battery life.

You can connect via USB if you want to, so you can alter the wireless network name, wireless key, encryption etc. should that be required.