USB Modem - Wireless input

cli70488 · 27-08-2009, 14:44

having been subjected to 10 days loss of VM Cable Broadband over the past 5 weeks I am considering replacing VM with one of the USB types. Does anyone using these types find them reliable or should I put up with VMs dreadfull record. My area is Telford and today ( Thursday) at 13.30 I have been able to connect, last time was Monday, afternoon at 14.00 only, having been offline from 9.30am Sunday. Tuesday and Wednesday also Offline with a Network fault.

BenMcr · 27-08-2009, 14:50

You can only use the cable modem Virgin supply you. You can't buy one for cable broadband

Even if you swap ISPs you will usually get a Wireless/Ethernet ADSL router which won't have USB on

danielf · 27-08-2009, 14:55

I think (but I may be wrong) the OP is considering using a 3G USB dongle to connect to the internet. If that's the case, then my response would be that they can be useful, but mainly as a backup rather than a replacement.

The two main things to consider is that 3G speeds are generally lower (4 or 8 Mbps max; lower in practice), and data allowances are small (~ 3Gb per month for about £10, often with 18/24 months contracts).

As a backup (and for on the move) they are very handy. Personally, I bought a Vodafone PAYG dongle which charges £15 per Gig, which suits me fine. You don't want to be downloading TV shows on it though, so you want to keep a regular connection.

cli70488 · 27-08-2009, 15:23

BenMcr, thanks I was thinking of ending the VM BB totally and replacing that with one of the others available.

Danielf, thankyou, as I only use the connection for a max of about 10 hours a week and then only for such things as this Forum and my knowledge of Computers is very limited. I thought that the plug in idea sounded OK. I am on VM BB size "L" and I hardly ever download anything and at 86 years I can be very easy on time.I can understand the way that these USB types can be very useful to those who move around and need the connection. If the experience with the last 5 weeks, being without the BB, makes it almost necessary to have one as a standby and I suppose £15 a month is not bad but VM really need to get their act together, in fact they usually issue a Credit to my account when they fail, and I contact them, so they could be paying for the Standby idea.

danielf · 27-08-2009, 15:45

There's a price comparison site for mobile (USB) broadband here:

http://www.broadband-expert.co.uk/mobile-broadband/

As you will see there's a bewildering array of options regarding allowances/speed/length of contract. If you are after a backup a Pay As You Go option might suit you better.

I've got this one:

http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobi...T.mc_evt=click

A one-off payment of £39 (inc. 1Gb allowance). Subsequent topups are charged at £15 per Gig, and (unlike with some other providers) the allowance doesn't expire after a month. (I believe you do need to use it at leat once every 6 months or so).

Another option would be to ditch VM and go for ADSL. You do need a (BT) phone line for this. www.samknows.co.uk is a good site for finding out what providers are available in your area. The availability checker is here:

http://www.samknows.com/broadband/search.php

ADSL speeds vary according to the distance from your telephone exchange and the quality of the phone line. If you're unlucky you may not be able to get a very good connection at your house. If you can get decent speeds, the package is likely to be better than with a USB dongle.

cli70488 · 27-08-2009, 16:25

Danielf, again many thanks for the trouble you have taken. The telephone line is "Virgin" so the ADSL is out. but I like the idea of the Vodafone on a " pay as you go system," as you use, and will call on Vodafone tomorrow when I visit town and chat to them. The usage at 6 months would be fine, I do have a Laptop, apart from the Desktop Computer and use a Belkin Router. The USB " Dongle"could well be used in place of the Router,and I will possible use the Laptop more than the odd occasion, at present. Again many thanks.

danielf · 27-08-2009, 16:31

You're welcome. For the record: the dongle is very easy to use. Simply plug it into a USB port on the machine you intend to use. There's a small utility that comes with the dongle. You simply run that to get connected. Easy as pie.

Regarding the usage. If you just use it as a backup, it could last you longer than 6 months. You just need to make sure you use it at least once every 6 months (or so) to prevent the balance being wiped. Other PAYG providers wipe the balance every month.

Peter_ · 27-08-2009, 20:56

Here are some reviews of Pay as You Go Mobile broadband packages and many are available without a contract just click HERE

danielf · 27-08-2009, 22:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moldova

Here are some reviews of Pay as You Go Mobile broadband packages and many are available without a contract just click HERE

The vodafone offer is (afaik) the only true payg one as you simply buy a data allowance and you buy more data when you need it. All the others are monthly charges. With the vodafone offer you can buy 1 gig for £15 and use it over the course of a year if you like.

BenMcr · 28-08-2009, 10:52

3 also do a proper PAYG Mobile Broadband http://threestore.three.co.uk/payg/d...rcode=DSLPP493

danielf · 28-08-2009, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

3 also do a proper PAYG Mobile Broadband http://threestore.three.co.uk/payg/d...rcode=DSLPP493

It's not very clear from the 3 website but any credit you buy on 3 expires after 30 days, as it says here:

http://www.broadband-expert.co.uk/mo...ile-broadband/

Basically, there's four PAYG options. On O2 and T-mobile you pay per day/week/month. On 3 you buy credit which you need to use within one month, and on Vodafone you can buy credit that doesn't expire, provided you log in once every 6 months or so.

Edit: here's the rub. If you ask me, this is incredibly misleading advertsising on the part of three.

From the offer page:

Quote:

No wires. No contract. Just buy a Top-up and convert it to the Add-on of your choice to get online almost anywhere with your 3 USB Modem.

So what you do is you buy a top-up, and convert this to an add-on.

Then there's the t&cs for PAYG deals. These largely relate to Mobiles, so you really need to know what you're looking for.

Quote:

Add-ons

To convert a Top-up to an Add-on, you need to have an active Top-up. Once an Add-on is activated, it is valid for 30 days. Activation starts as soon as you have converted a Top-up to an Add-on. After 30 days, any inclusive value will be lost. Exceptions to this 30 days rule are Internet Daily, which is valid for 24 hours, and Internet Weekly which is valid for 7 days from activation.

Add-ons are non-refundable.

3 reserves the right to suspend, modify or withdraw Add-ons, without notice, at any time.

cli70488 · 28-08-2009, 14:23

THE vodafone" Pay as you go" is great I now have one and it cost £35, today, which includes £15 for 1 GB and top-ups are £15. for 1GB. The best thing is that there is No Contract, they did'nt even ask my name and the address was only to enable them to check the reception area. Merely use occasionaly during first 6 months and take a Top Up at £15 before the 6 months is out and you suffer no loss whatsoever.My limited use will determine whether I cancel the Virgin Cable BB altogether as their breakdowns recently have been utterly ridiculous, over 10 times in 5 weeks.