Mobile internet connection

[Bongo]

You can, if you have a decent phone that is 3G, use the data cable that somes with the phone, and use the phone as the external 3G device.  No monthly charges, probably per megabyte charges..

Don't even think you'll need 3G, GPRS will do nicely

[RichEO]

You are in Leicester right technolog? If you want to pop over to S Wigston I'll sort you out with a 3G card I have a couple sat here at the mo. You just stick a vodafone SIM in and use it pay as you go. (So you would need a SIM).

Regards to the vodafone 3g cards compared to the usb modem, vodafone have about 6 different 3G cards, the older ones are slower than the new ones, so a newer one will be comparable to the new USB modem that everyone is raving about You can also get an external arial for it if you want.

I think a pay as you go option is the best one for occasional use, don't want to be signed up to a 12/18 month contract.

[hugob055]

red .....roughly how many MG do you use per hr when playing poker or just general surfing the net?

[RichEO]

You can, if you have a decent phone that is 3G, use the data cable that somes with the phone, and use the phone as the external 3G device.  No monthly charges, probably per megabyte charges..

Don't even think you'll need 3G, GPRS will do nicely

It wil do, I wouldn't say nicely (I'm on dial up right now )

[RichEO]

red .....roughly how many MG do you use per hr when playing poker or just general surfing the net?

See this thread for discussion on the subject: http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=26563.0

[hugob055]

thx rich

[RED-DOG]

red .....roughly how many MG do you use per hr when playing poker or just general surfing the net?

Just playing poker you can get away with 1MB per table per hour. (but make sure your computer doesn't download any updates or anything) Browsing the web you will use maybe 10/20 MB per hour.

The Vodafone package comes with 3GB per month (3GB is over 3000MB and will be virtually impossible to use unless you are downloading movies or musik))

[RED-DOG]

I 've seen these USB modems from T-mobile, Voderphone,and now 3. they all look the same (branded diff of course) does any one know if there's any differences.

they all seem about £25 per mth for 7 gbs.

I'm confusded as per.

All pretty much the same Brendan, but imho Vodafone is a bit more expensive but has a lot better coverage.

[hugob055]

can be expensive when using abroad then at just over 4 quid per MB

[Malc-M]

I too use a Vodafone USB dongle- £25 pm for 250mb- I have never managed to use up the inclusive time playing poker and downloading text emails.
Very relaible too with a fair amount of 3G coverage but GPRS pretty well everywhere.
One note of caution tho I used mine very briefly in Vegas this year and it is very expensive when "roaming".
Malc-M

[RED-DOG]

can be expensive when using abroad then at just over 4 quid per MB

New tarrif is £8.75 for 24 hours when abroad.

[hugob055]

can be expensive when using abroad then at just over 4 quid per MB

New tarrif is £8.75 for 24 hours when abroad.

that seems fair and affordable

[RichEO]

http://www.vodafonebusinessshop.co.uk/index.cfm?fuseaction=MobileEmailAndData.usbModem&WT_ref=EBU_DEST_WOR_1

looked at that before but was just wondering so after u have paid the intial £120+ VAT, how much is it from then on. Do u just pay 8.95 per 24 hours of usuage or what?

The modem can be had for £91 buy it now on ebay, a substantial saving, but there appear to only be 4 available at this price.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/UK-Vodafone-3g-Broadband-Mobile-Connect-USB-Modem_W0QQitemZ170145099316QQihZ007QQcategoryZ96912QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[technolog]

You are in Leicester right technolog? If you want to pop over to S Wigston I'll sort you out with a 3G card I have a couple sat here at the mo. You just stick a vodafone SIM in and use it pay as you go. (So you would need a SIM).

Regards to the vodafone 3g cards compared to the usb modem, vodafone have about 6 different 3G cards, the older ones are slower than the new ones, so a newer one will be comparable to the new USB modem that everyone is raving about You can also get an external arial for it if you want.

I think a pay as you go option is the best one for occasional use, don't want to be signed up to a 12/18 month contract.

So you stick the SIM in the card? I believe you can get Vodafone PAYG SIMs for free - would one of these be okay? Any idea of the cost structure of using this solution? How much would you want for one of your cards?

As I said, my T-Mobile 18 month contract is up in a month or so. Is there any mileage in going for a suitable phone/data cable/contract combo? If so any reccommendations?

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions everyone.

[RichEO]

I think if you get a pay and go SIM they charge per MB but it is capped at around £10 per day. If you go to get a SIM I'd check with them the exact prices and data allowance.

You can have the card for what I paid for it, £15 off ebay. It's not one of the new faster type, but it gets the job done for occaisional use. I'll do my best to set it up for you if you want.

Of course, you might want to go for one of the newer faster ones, the best way to get one of those is on contract, others have already pointed them out.