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gazlee99
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(regular)
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Fri Jan 18 2008 06:09 PM
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Internet access without broadband via a landline
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Good evening, I hope that this is the correct place to post this so my apologies if it is in the wrong place!
A friend of mine doesn't have a landline in her flat and due to the short length of her tenancy she will not be getting one. This obviously means that she cannot have broadband fitted. I have seen that a few mobile phone providers now do these little usb broadband units that can be used anywhere to provide bb speed internet access. This sort of thing would be ideal. Does anyone have any advice about what provider to go for and what the restrictions are regarding download limits. She would like to use skype on it - would this have a great effect on the download limits?
Any suggestions are very much appreciated.
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greysts
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(regular)
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Sat Jan 19 2008 10:09 AM
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Re: Internet access without broadband via a landline
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By pure coincidence I've just bought one of those from here. I am using it for mobile computer training in village halls, church halls etc. where we do not have a t/p line. Because it's a long term commitment we went for the 2 year contract so the device is free but it's £10 a month. Yes, it works well with Skype, I tried it last night. I'm in Colchester and we are getting a speed of 250kb. In London it can go up to about 7mb.
Check your download limits and coverage on the 3 site before you buy to make sure it works in your area.
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gazlee99
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(regular)
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Sat Jan 19 2008 11:06 AM
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Re: Internet access without broadband via a landline
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Thank you very much for your reply. Is that 250 speed good enough to view videos and to load pages compared to say an average speed home bb connection? Is that London speed so fast as it is in a "turbo" area. I have had a look whether Stratford on Avon is a turbo area and can't really see that it is. Does this mean that it will be really slow. £10 a month is very good value. The most important thing is speed, reliability and a download limit that is similar to a home bb connection. Sorry for all the questions! BB can be a minefield at the best of times for speed and reliability.
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greysts
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(regular)
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Sat Jan 19 2008 05:50 PM
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Re: Internet access without broadband via a landline
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Quote:
Is that 250 speed good enough to view videos and to load pages compared to say an average speed home bb connection?
The average home BB connection is normally around 2 to 4 mb so 250kb is 8 to 16 times slower than that. You could probably use it to view videos but they would not be full screen and the buffer time would be a lot greater. For normal surfing it's reasonable. Quote:
Is that London speed so fast as it is in a "turbo" area.
Yes it is. Stratford upon Avon seems to be in the 3G area which allows video download. It's coloured red on the map just like Colchester so I'd guess you would get much the same as me.
If my experience is anything to go by you certainly won't get home BB speeds using this system in Stratford upon Avon. On the other hand, you haven't got to buy a BT telephone line or pay rental at £11 a month and it will still be faster than a normal dial up connection via a mobile phone at 9.6kb. You can also use Skype for free calls via the net and cheaper calls using Skype Out.
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greysts
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(regular)
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Sat Jan 19 2008 06:08 PM
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Re: Internet access without broadband via a landline
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I've just had another look at the 3 map. In fact parts of Stratford upon Avon will be 'turboed' by April this year. Everything within the ring road certainly will. Have you tried putting in the postcode and then clicking on the 'Turbo by April 2008' icon?
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gazlee99
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(regular)
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Tue Jan 22 2008 05:15 PM
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Re: Internet access without broadband via a landline
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Hi there, indeed Stratford will be "turbo'd" in April. I will pass this information onto my friend and then she can see what she wants to do. It is all quite exciting how the mobile ability of the internet is taking off, it will be interesting to see where we are in a couple of years time with regard to speed and availabiliy. Thank you very much for taking the time to help.
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greysts
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(regular)
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Wed Jan 23 2008 10:36 AM
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Re: Internet access without broadband via a landline
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You're welcome. I must admit I'm very impressed with what we bought from 3. After we are 'turboed' in April I reckon 2.8mb for £10 a month is a deal well worth having particularly if you don't want a fixed t/p line.
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