Dongle

[Jilly1949]

I am considering getting a broadband dongle from T-Mobile in place of my BT broadband. Can anyone advise, based on their own experience, if this is a wise move?

[Jilly1949]

Thanks Knobby. The contract is for 24 months at a fixed rate lower than my current payment to BT. It is also supposed to be unlimited broadband. Just worried there could be drawbacks I don't know about. 24 months is a long time to have problems and to have to deal with hidden agendas.

[barry1010]

Have you checked the coverage? I live in the middle of a large city and it doesn't work. What is the download limit? I can't see an unlimited service advertised
http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadban d/

Have you thought about changing to a different broadband supplier? You may get good deals with Tiscali, for example. Put your postcode in the search box to see what is available to you:
http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/partner-lp_b roadband-availability/an-introduction-to-wirel ess-broadband.html

Dongles are great (where there is coverage) for what they are intended for, broadband on the move. They are disappointingly slow when you are used to a proper broadband service in your home.

[Jilly1949]

Thank you Barry 1010. Your answer has been helpful. I have been with T-mobile for over three years and the offer came from T-mobile in a phone call. I have checked some postcodes of areas I might use my laptop and as you rightly stated, not all of them are geared up for the dongle. Perhaps waiting for another year or so might be advisable.

[fo3nix]

Just bear in mind that it's slow, and always will be.

3G speeds are slower than wired speeds anyway, and even more so when you count interference of the radio signals.

It's fine for browsing or checking emails, but it's not good if you download a fair amount (presumably why you'd want unlimited downloads in the first place). It's probably even slow with things like Youtube.

[Jilly1949]

Thanks Fo3nix. The reviews I am getting are not very favourable so think I will stick with wifi for now. Speed and area coverage etc., can only get better with time (I hope)!

[fo3nix]

Look out for WiMAX :)

Though it'll probably be a few years before it's more widespread.

[Jilly1949]

Thanks, will do. Had a quick look on the net and it seems very technical. Certainly something to watch out for in the future though.

[DrFilth]

Jilly may i ask why you are changing from bt

my friend is going to change from aol to bt



:::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

[Jilly1949]

Hi DrFilth. I was offered a dongle at a very good rate by T-mobile. I don't think I am going to take it up but am still considering changing from BT as BT is way more expensive than other broadband providers. I am now looking at Tiscali. Nothing wrong with BT except expense.

[DrFilth]

i had tiscali and had a lot of trouble changed to aol but think i will change soon

next door had aol changed to tiscali and could not wait to get rid of it , they are now on sky.


:::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

[Jilly1949]

Thank you DrFilth. Will now reconsider. Any views on Sky? I only use BT for broadband and the cost is more that than other providers are offering broadband for. I also pay line rental for a phone I don't use thus the reason for wanting to change.

[DrFilth]

next door have only just gone on sky so i have had no news from them , my mates girfriend has the full sky package .
he thinks it is great , very fast and she has never had a problem . the thing is she never uses it and gets upset when he logs on and gets on ebay.she gets free phone calls which she does use


:::::::::::::::::;; ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;

[Jilly1949]

Sky might be the one to consider then. I will compare this with BT and see if it suits my needs better. Thanks for your help.

[trish432]

There are 2 sites here that mention 3GB limit.
I don`t know about T mobile, but 3 charges 10p per mb over the limit, which is over �100 per Gb, if my maths is correct.

http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/free-mobile- broadband-dongle.html

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadban d/

[Jilly1949]

Thanks for the websites Trish432. I think I have gone off the idea of a dongle now as they appear to be slow and would not suit my purpose. Everybody has been so helpful with my dilemma, I appreciate it.

[Jilly1949]

Wow, Knobby, you have now made my mind up one hundred percent against Tiscali, thanks. Haven't got Sky at moment but am going to look into this. It certainly sounds as if it might work for me but If all else fails will stay with BT!! Back to my original question - I have also definitely decided against the T-Mobile dongle.

[lankeela]

I have just ordered a Dell Inspiron Mini 9 Netbook from Vodaphone, �20 a month and the netbook comes free, it has broadband built in so no dongle needed. Seemed to be a much better deal than buying a netbook and keep buying dongles or topping up. You get 30 hours a month. I just need something simple to get emails and the internet whilst at work (as a carer in a private home, so no access to a normal computer). Ordered 4pm, delivery tomorrow!

[barry1010]

The netbook isn't free - the contract has cost you �480.
The �20 a month plan is restricted to 1gb of download per month, which is miserly and it will cost a lot if you exceed your limit.
The dongle without the netbook is �15 per month with a 3gb limit - �360 over the 2 years.

It annoys me when these companies advertise something as free when it clearly isn't.