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  1. #1
    (I've learnt more since last posting, so hopefully won't come across
    as a complete newbie).

    I'd be grateful for recommendations as to what gadget to buy (whether
    PCMCIA card or USB dongle) enabling me to connect my laptop to the
    internet without a phone, i.e. without a phone handset, landline, or
    separate phone account.

    Criteria as follows:

    1) time unmetered
    2) I don't mind about a maximum on bits downloaded or uploaded
    3) paid for up front (e.g. renewable annually if required), i.e. no
    direct debit
    4) proper email, i.e. I can use my email client to send and receive
    through a server, without using webmail or a proprietary interface
    5) useable in Greater Manchester and Derbyshire area

    Many thanks! Hope this isn't too unrealistic!

    Michael




    See More: question about internet access without a phone




  2. #2
    Neil
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone

    > I'd be grateful for recommendations as to what gadget to buy (whether
    > PCMCIA card or USB dongle) enabling me to connect my laptop to the
    > internet without a phone, i.e. without a phone handset, landline, or
    > separate phone account.
    >
    > Criteria as follows:
    >
    > 1) time unmetered
    > 2) I don't mind about a maximum on bits downloaded or uploaded
    > 3) paid for up front (e.g. renewable annually if required), i.e. no
    > direct debit
    > 4) proper email, i.e. I can use my email client to send and receive
    > through a server, without using webmail or a proprietary interface
    > 5) useable in Greater Manchester and Derbyshire area
    >
    > Many thanks! Hope this isn't too unrealistic!
    >
    > Michael
    >


    There are modern devices called MOBILE PHONES that can do this, under a "pay
    as you go system"






  3. #3
    Him & Her
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone

    Neil wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    : > I'd be grateful for recommendations as to what gadget to buy
    (whether
    : > PCMCIA card or USB dongle) enabling me to connect my laptop
    to the
    : > internet without a phone, i.e. without a phone handset,
    landline, or
    : > separate phone account.
    <SNIP>
    : There are modern devices called MOBILE PHONES that can do this,
    under a "pay
    : as you go system"

    He doesn't want to use a phone or landline of any description. He
    said ........

    [Q] connect my laptop to the
    internet without a phone, i.e. without a phone handset,
    landline, or
    separate phone account.
    [/EndQ]

    I took that to mean he wants a device that will be inserted in
    his laptop that will connect directly to the net without relying
    on other devices.

    --
    Regards,

    Him & Her





  4. #4
    Alan
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone


    <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > (I've learnt more since last posting, so hopefully won't come across
    > as a complete newbie).
    >
    > I'd be grateful for recommendations as to what gadget to buy (whether
    > PCMCIA card or USB dongle) enabling me to connect my laptop to the
    > internet without a phone, i.e. without a phone handset, landline, or
    > separate phone account.
    >
    > Criteria as follows:
    >
    > 1) time unmetered
    > 2) I don't mind about a maximum on bits downloaded or uploaded
    > 3) paid for up front (e.g. renewable annually if required), i.e. no
    > direct debit
    > 4) proper email, i.e. I can use my email client to send and receive
    > through a server, without using webmail or a proprietary interface
    > 5) useable in Greater Manchester and Derbyshire area
    >
    > Many thanks! Hope this isn't too unrealistic!
    >
    > Michael
    >


    Not making it easy, are you ?

    Have you thought about either a PCMCIA Wi Fi card or a USB Wi Fi device ?

    T Mobile and The Cloud both do PAYG Wi Fi access.

    T Mobile are slightly cheaper, but you still need a phone "initially" to
    text them for your "login" details.

    Then T Mobile deduct 75p from your credit for each 10 minute period.

    Check out their websites
    http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobil...pay-as-you-go/
    http://thecloud.co.uk/for-you/

    I am not sure if "credEcard" are still involved in this part of the
    business, they do/did a "WI-FI CARD" that could be topped up at Paypoint
    stores.
    http://www.credecard.com/uk/

    It's not a phone but T Mobile sell a USB modem at £99.99p, and it costs £4 a
    day for "Web n Walk Plus" which can be topped up using the swipe card
    provided if Direct Debit is not an option.

    There is a "Broadband Casual" offering from "Three" at a "Pound a Megabyte"
    with the same/similar USB modem but this could quickly cost more than their
    1Gigabyte tariff and would probably require a Direct Debit.

    Googles Gmail is one option for sending email if you are using Wi Fi access.

    Hope this meets "some" of your requirements.
    Alan





  5. #5
    Ivor Jones
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone

    "Him & Her" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]
    : : Neil wrote in message
    : : news:[email protected]...
    : : : : I'd be grateful for recommendations as to what
    : : : : gadget to buy (whether PCMCIA card or USB dongle)
    : : : : enabling me to connect my laptop to the internet
    : : : : without a phone, i.e. without a phone handset,
    : : : : landline, or separate phone account.
    : : <SNIP>
    : : : There are modern devices called MOBILE PHONES that
    : : : can do this, under a "pay as you go system"
    : :
    : : He doesn't want to use a phone or landline of any
    : : description. He said ........
    : :
    : : [Q] connect my laptop to the
    : : internet without a phone, i.e. without a phone handset,
    : : landline, or
    : : separate phone account.
    : : [/EndQ]
    : :
    : : I took that to mean he wants a device that will be
    : : inserted in his laptop that will connect directly to
    : : the net without relying on other devices.

    No such thing. Unless you count public access wi-fi networks, which are
    unlikely to cover residential areas. They are also excessively priced, it
    cost me £10 for a couple of hours at Heathrow Airport last month.

    Ivor




  6. #6
    Ivor Jones
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone

    "Alan" <[email protected]> wrote in
    message news:[email protected]

    [snip]

    : : Not making it easy, are you ?
    : :
    : : Have you thought about either a PCMCIA Wi Fi card or a
    : : USB Wi Fi device ?
    : :
    : : T Mobile and The Cloud both do PAYG Wi Fi access.
    : :
    : : T Mobile are slightly cheaper, but you still need a
    : : phone "initially" to text them for your "login" details.

    But they're unlikely to be available over the entire area the OP mentions
    he wants coverage.

    Ivor




  7. #7
    Brian G
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone

    [email protected] wrote:
    > (I've learnt more since last posting, so hopefully won't come across
    > as a complete newbie).
    >
    > I'd be grateful for recommendations as to what gadget to buy (whether
    > PCMCIA card or USB dongle) enabling me to connect my laptop to the
    > internet without a phone, i.e. without a phone handset, landline, or
    > separate phone account.
    >
    > Criteria as follows:
    >
    > 1) time unmetered
    > 2) I don't mind about a maximum on bits downloaded or uploaded
    > 3) paid for up front (e.g. renewable annually if required), i.e. no
    > direct debit
    > 4) proper email, i.e. I can use my email client to send and receive
    > through a server, without using webmail or a proprietary interface
    > 5) useable in Greater Manchester and Derbyshire area
    >
    > Many thanks! Hope this isn't too unrealistic!
    >
    > Michael


    Satellite? Or sit on the wall outside a house that has an unprotected wi-fi
    system.





  8. #8
    Iain
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone

    [email protected] wrote:

    > 5) useable in Greater Manchester and Derbyshire area


    That's the tricky one. I'd suggest 3 Mobile Broadband (usb device, £18
    per month) but although there is coverage in Derbyshire for it, there is
    also quite a lot of Derbyshire without coverage. Have a look at their
    coverage map and see if it is good enough for your needs.




  9. #9
    Alan
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone


    "Ivor Jones" <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > "Alan" <[email protected]> wrote in
    > message news:[email protected]
    >
    > [snip]
    >
    > : : Not making it easy, are you ?
    > : :
    > : : Have you thought about either a PCMCIA Wi Fi card or a
    > : : USB Wi Fi device ?
    > : :
    > : : T Mobile and The Cloud both do PAYG Wi Fi access.
    > : :
    > : : T Mobile are slightly cheaper, but you still need a
    > : : phone "initially" to text them for your "login" details.
    >
    > But they're unlikely to be available over the entire area the OP mentions
    > he wants coverage.
    >
    > Ivor


    I thought the OP wanted to:
    "connect my laptop to the internet without a phone,
    i.e. without a phone handset, landline, or separate phone account".

    There's also a "no direct debit criteria".
    So that would boil down to a PCMCIA or USB device on PAYG.

    FWIW
    I felt some of the OP's criteria were somewhat at odds with the others.
    I then thought a Wi Fi device would fill in "some" of the OP's requirements.

    That's why I put the "3" or "T Mobile" USB modem options in as a last
    resort.

    BTW
    I did look at the other newsgroups the OP had crossposted to.
    Manchester have 115 Wi Fi Hot Spots but Derby only has 38.

    So:
    Web'n'Walk Plus Daily for 4 pounds a day with whatever device required.
    Anything else would appear to require a direct debit.

    I hope this fills in "most" of the requirements.

    BTW Ivor

    If it's not bad form.

    I see on "uk.telecom.voip" that you have a Fritzbox 7170.

    Can I ask where you got it from ?

    Alan





  10. #10
    RCC
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone

    In message <[email protected]>, Iain
    <[email protected]> writes
    >[email protected] wrote:
    >
    >> 5) useable in Greater Manchester and Derbyshire area

    >
    >That's the tricky one. I'd suggest 3 Mobile Broadband (usb device, £18
    >per month) but although there is coverage in Derbyshire for it, there
    >is also quite a lot of Derbyshire without coverage. Have a look at
    >their coverage map and see if it is good enough for your needs.
    >

    Just to re-inforce the need to look at coverage maps in some detail:
    Derbyshire is a pretty big and varied place.

    Stayed on a campsite there in summer.

    My O2 phone - no signal
    Child 1 - a T Mobile variant - no signal
    Child 2 - Orange - no signal
    Work Phone - Vodafone - no signal

    5 miles away, all had useful reception.

    I'm sure Voda used to do a payg version of their data card but it was
    about £200 upfront. Not seen it advertised recently. You could get it
    bundled with some Acer laptops.

    --
    Richard C



  11. #11
    Steve Slatcher
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone

    On Fri, 2 Nov 2007 12:18:24 -0000, "Him & Her"
    <[email protected]> wrote:

    >> There are modern devices called MOBILE PHONES that can do this,
    >>under a "pay as you go system"

    >
    >He doesn't want to use a phone or landline of any description. He
    >said ........


    He doesn't. But I wonder what his REAL requirement is. Ifind it
    difficult to understand why someone does not want to have a mobile
    phone as part of the solutjoin. Does he realise that it does not have
    to be physically connected to the computer?

    --
    Steve Slatcher
    http://pobox.com/~steve.slatcher



  12. #12
    Ivor Jones
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone



    "Steve Slatcher" <[email protected]> wrote in
    message news:[email protected]
    : : On Fri, 2 Nov 2007 12:18:24 -0000, "Him & Her"
    : : <[email protected]> wrote:
    : :
    : : : : There are modern devices called MOBILE PHONES that
    : : : : can do this, under a "pay as you go system"
    : : :
    : : : He doesn't want to use a phone or landline of any
    : : : description. He said ........
    : :
    : : He doesn't. But I wonder what his REAL requirement is.
    : : Ifind it difficult to understand why someone does not
    : : want to have a mobile phone as part of the solutjoin.
    : : Does he realise that it does not have to be physically
    : : connected to the computer?

    I suspect he wants free blanket-coverage wi-fi. There *are* places where
    it exists, but I don't think his area is one of them.

    Ivor




  13. #13
    Steve Slatcher
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone

    On Sat, 3 Nov 2007 10:06:27 -0000, "Ivor Jones"
    <[email protected]> wrote:

    >I suspect he wants free blanket-coverage wi-fi. There *are* places where
    >it exists, but I don't think his area is one of them.


    You don't even get mobile phone coverage in many parts of Derbyshire.
    I managed to find a couple of them myself with particulalrly trying
    very hard.

    --
    Steve Slatcher
    http://pobox.com/~steve.slatcher



  14. #14
    Dave Wade
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone


    <[email protected]> wrote in message
    news:[email protected]...
    > (I've learnt more since last posting, so hopefully won't come across
    > as a complete newbie).
    >
    > I'd be grateful for recommendations as to what gadget to buy (whether
    > PCMCIA card or USB dongle) enabling me to connect my laptop to the
    > internet without a phone, i.e. without a phone handset, landline, or
    > separate phone account.
    >


    Assuming you are going to use the device over a 3g "phone" service, which is
    probably the only way to get decent coverage, buying a device bundled in
    with a contract is the best way to go. So once you choose a contract that
    will fix the device. Both "three" and "T-Mobile" have mobile data offereings
    that DO NOT include a "real" phone or line.

    > Criteria as follows:
    >
    > 1) time unmetered


    No problems, 3g is an "Always On" so they expect you to be connected all the
    time...

    > 2) I don't mind about a maximum on bits downloaded or uploaded


    Again several options with several limits ....

    > 3) paid for up front (e.g. renewable annually if required), i.e. no
    > direct debit


    I think the basic answer to this is "No chance". I am not sure why they
    won't take 12 months in advance, (possible because of the way Direct Debits
    work). Also rather than stop service they want to surcharge you for extra
    bandwidth, hence a direct debit..

    > 4) proper email, i.e. I can use my email client to send and receive
    > through a server, without using webmail or a proprietary interface


    There are ways round this for most folks, might involve more cash, but there
    are ways round it...

    > 5) useable in Greater Manchester and Derbyshire area
    >


    I think Derbyshire will be a problem. See the coverage here:-

    http://www.three.co.uk/personal/prod...ollout_map.omp

    or here

    http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/c.../street-check/


    > Many thanks! Hope this isn't too unrealistic!


    I think that these are new services, so expect teething troubles...

    >
    > Michael
    >






  15. #15
    John
    Guest

    Re: question about internet access without a phone

    On Sat, 03 Nov 2007 08:21:26 +0000, Steve Slatcher
    <[email protected]> wrote:

    >On Fri, 2 Nov 2007 12:18:24 -0000, "Him & Her"
    ><[email protected]> wrote:
    >
    >>> There are modern devices called MOBILE PHONES that can do this,
    >>>under a "pay as you go system"

    >>
    >>He doesn't want to use a phone or landline of any description. He
    >>said ........

    >
    >He doesn't. But I wonder what his REAL requirement is. Ifind it
    >difficult to understand why someone does not want to have a mobile
    >phone as part of the solutjoin. Does he realise that it does not have
    >to be physically connected to the computer?


    What kind of dick uses a mobile phone for the Internet out of choice?


    --


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    'hilarious', it usually isn't?





















































































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