Dongle

[whiskeryron]

I am having to use a dongle to use the internet. It is a Huawei e 5330 -1b92, which uses a 3 sim. My problem is knowing how much data I have left. If I do not check it regularly I can find myself in trouble ( not being able to use a dead device to get on the internet to renew it ). I am at present buying the sim on PAYG . Does anyone know if I can pay monthly to avoid running out of credit ?

[Jackdaw33]

I find that very odd. I use, and have done for the past 8 years, an O2 dongle. Whenever I run out of data I am automatically redirected to the top-up page.

[mikey4444]

Ron...I use a Three dongle in the caravan in Cornwall. All I have to do to find out how much credit I have is to go to their website and sign in. It tells me exactly how much credit left and I can top up at any time.

[Samjenko]

Same as mikey. I'm no expert, Ron, but I'm sure you can see your Data Allowance on your device (lap-top, or whatever) by logging on to your Data provider's web site.

[malagabob]

Type in mythree select www.three.co.uk>My3Account
Under the clock on the left hand side of page select " check your data allowance " against Remaining data allowance you'll see remaining data in numbers Gb/Mb
You'll also see days left till your new allowance.

[whiskeryron]

I do log on to see my balance. I am talking about a couple of times when I have run out of credit I do not get a reminder from 3 & of course I am unable then to use the internet due to my location in order to renew the sim. I am wondering if there is a way I can pay f or constant credit.

[Jackdaw33]

I still don't fully understand. Whenever I run out and attempt to load a web page I am automatically directed to the O2 home page which tells me I have run out of data then allows me to top up. Perhaps choose a different provider? You can of course get them on rolling contracts, as you can with mobile phones. Why does location come into it?

[whiskeryron]

location is mentioned because I am in a rural area where Mobile coverage is sadly lacking.

[Jackdaw33]

Now I understand. Move to the big city?

[whiskeryron]

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING

[Buenchico]

Three actually advertises the E5330 as available with any one of 18 different calling plans, so there ought to be one to suit you!
http://store.three.co.uk/view/product/ql_catalog/threecatdevice/20529
(Click 'See 16 More Plans' on the right)

[Samjenko]

With 3 you can still buy data on-line after you've run out of data.
Lol, they aren't stupid.

[whiskeryron]

Please explain how that works Samjenko. I rely on the dongle to get me online. If I run out of credit the dongle ceases to work. How do I get online to renew the dongle ? Is there a magic spell I don't know about ?

[mikey4444]

Ron....if your credit has run out, as a customer, Three will direct you to their top-up website. You won't be able to do anything else or go anywhere else....just top-up with Three. They will allow you free access, so to speak, but just to pay them some more dosh.

[Jackdaw33]

See my post @ 11.55. If you run out of data and try to load a web page it should automatically default to the home page telling you you've run out and allowing you to top up on-line.

[whiskeryron]

Please believe me Mikey I have unfortunately run out of credit twice without anyone getting in touch to nudge me into renewing. I have had to request my daughter to buy me a new 3 sim on her computer.

[Jackdaw33]

Well that is odd. I agree with everything that Mikey said, for the first and probably the last time in my life.

[mikey4444]

OK Ron.....Then it would appear that Three are somehow at fault. When I had some problems last Easter, in the caravan, I called the help number, and a very nice chap ( from India ! )
sorted me out.

In the mean time, I would keep an eye on your credit, via the Three website.

[whiskeryron]

Chris. I have just noticed your answer for which I thank you, however when I click on the link I must confess I do not fully understand the info. For example a 20 GB data on a 12 month contract ( which is of interest to me )mentions stuff like voice call charges & uk text messages. As I am using a purely wifi Sim in my dongle are these references appertaining to a mobile phone Sim ? Totally confused could you please explain >

[mikey4444]

Ron...would you mind if I asked why you don't just get wifi on your telephone line ?

[Buenchico]

In the age of smart phones, mobile operators tend to offer their price plans for those phones based upon the amount of data used for internet services and effectively throw in calls and texts for free. If you use one of those contract plans for your device you'll obviously lose out on the free calls and texts but you'll still be better off than on as PAYG, getting a great more data for your money.