Best tariff for data connection.

Bill T <[email protected]> wrote:
> What's the best (and cheapest) tariff to get for the data connection?
> I would be a light-medium user. Would like something faster than 56K.

Three PAYG. 10 pounds buys you a 1GB 'Mobile Broadband' addon, valid for
one month. There are some more price bands if you need more data:
http://www.three.co.uk/personal/prod...band_/payg.omp

You'll need an unlocked 3G phone (don't know if your phones are without
checking). Cheap 3G phone on ebay is a Nokia 7600 which is easy and free to
unlock, or for a better phone try a 6630, 6680 or N70 (also free unlock with
cable and some software). Or Three are doing various offers on their
broadband modem at the moment, which means you get HSDPA where it's
available.

Three Ireland also have some different price plans, which will roam at no
extra charge to the UK. It might be tricky to find a SIM though:
http://www.three.ie/broadband/3pay.htm
You'd also have an Irish number (so it'd cost more to call the UK or people
to call you)

As with all mobile broadband, speed and coverage vary quite a bit.

Theo

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"Bill T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sat 05 Jul 2008 00:05:45, Theo Markettos wrote:
>> Bill T <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
> The page starts with a reference to buying a dongle for PAYG. What is
> this dongle? Does it go in the handset or into the PC? Most
> importantly, what does it cost!
>
> Thank you for any further info.
>
The dongle is a USB modem. It plugs in to your laptop. Using one means that
your phone does not get used at all for data use. They currently cost
£49.99.
--
Cheers, Steve.
Change jealous to sad to reply.

"Steve Dulieu" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Bill T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> On Sat 05 Jul 2008 00:05:45, Theo Markettos wrote:
>>> Bill T <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>>
>> The page starts with a reference to buying a dongle for PAYG. What is
>> this dongle? Does it go in the handset or into the PC? Most
>> importantly, what does it cost!
>>
>> Thank you for any further info.
>>
> The dongle is a USB modem. It plugs in to your laptop. Using one means
> that your phone does not get used at all for data use. They currently cost
> £49.99.

And I should also have said that you can buy them online from here...
http://threestore.three.co.uk/payg/?modem=1&id=1201
....or at any "3" store or at most branches of the "Superdrug" chain of shops
in the UK.
--
Cheers, Steve.
Change jealous to sad to reply.

Bill T <[email protected]> wrote:
> Thank you very much for the info. I had a look at the first link you
> gave ...
>
> The page talks about getting a Top-up and converting it. Does this
> mean I need to have another plan first and then top that plan up (and
> then convert that Top-up)?

You just get a normal PAYG SIM (I got one on ebay for 99p, or you can buy a
SIM from Three for a 10 pounds, which comes with 10 pounds of credit).
Whatever plan that SIM is on doesn't matter. If the SIM needs more credit
you can do that in a shop, or with a credit card over the phone.

The mobile broadband thing is an addon - you ring a number and select the
option to add it. Your credit goes down by 10 pounds and you get 1GB of
data. When you check your balance on 'My3' (their mobile web site, viewable
on your phone) it then tells you you have 1000MB left. Use some data and
this goes down. Once it's finished you go back to paying 1pound/MB, but you
can buy another addon.

Meanwhile the phone is still usable for phone calls, texts etc on whatever
PAYG plan it's currently on. I think the only plan available for new
customers is Flat12 anyway.

If you want HSDPA I think you need a different SIM, but those come with the
USB modem bundle (or about a tenner on ebay).

Theo