How can we access the Internet without a land line?
Myself and 2 other students will be moving into a rented flat, and we are not sure how we can get Internet access on our Laptops.
We will not be having a land line phone, just mobiles. Mine is a Pay As You Go phone.
Would somebody be kind enough to let us know the best method for us getting Internet access. Also would we need to share a connection or would we need our own and pay the bills separately.
Thanks.
May 23rd, 2010 at 8:17 am
There are two choices:
1)USB broadband PAYG or contract. I am using 3 USB broadband PAYG, the only problem with this is only one PC may use it at once.
2) Contact Virgin about ‘Cable’ broadband, I used to have that when I was a student. The only problem with this is the cable coverage, virgin will tell you whether or not you can be connected. Its very fast, cheapish and reliable.
May 23rd, 2010 at 8:44 am
You can access the internet through your mobile phone. There are ways to connect them to your laptop (eg bluetooth) But beware, it is not the ‘always on’ broadband. It bears more resemblance to the old style dial-up internet connections that we use to have. This means that you pay for each second you are on line and at Mobile rates that will soon get very expensive.
If you share a connection then hat way lies phone bill madness when you try and sort it out between you.
See if there is an Open (ie unsecured) wireless network within range of your computer. Open the Start Menu and the Connect To, then look for Wireless Networks in Range.
You might like to try various locations around the flat.
May 23rd, 2010 at 9:21 am
Your best bet would be to get a mobile broadband dongle, you can get them either on contract or pay as you go, vodaphone supposedly has the widest coverage, but check that who ever you chose does provide cover in the area you will be in.
Dont belive the sales reps, check it on the net first!!
May 23rd, 2010 at 9:28 am
Depending on what type mobile phone service you have, you can get a wireless modem that will plug into a USB slot in your laptop for which you will pay a monthly fee (it’s called 2G or 3G). Also, some locations offer WiMax service (also through a plug-in modem), which has higher bandwidth but it’s not available everywhere and it’s fairly expensive.
Most laptops have built-in WiFi these days so you can go to a hotspot (e.g., Starbucks) or someone near where you live may have a WiFi modem that is not secure that you can use for free (that’s not strictly legal, however). If your laptop has built-in WiFi, it should automatically look for a WiFi network when you bootup.
May 23rd, 2010 at 9:49 am
There are a lot of options, but most of it depends on what country you are in and what is available in your area.
Here are typical option available in an average university area in the USA
1. Cable – Most cable operators offer an Internet package
2. DSL – many DSL providers provide a “naked DSL” package. That is a DSL connection over a phone line, but it is data only, no phone service
3. Wireless High Speed Internet – Companies like Clear are providing a wireless internet package in some areas. Clear can supply a mobile service for laptops or a fixed service for an apartment.
4. Internet from a Cell Phone provider – Your internet service is supplied by the cell phone network. You plug a dedicated modem into your computer to receive the data
5. Some Blackberrys can be tethered to a laptop and provide Internet access.
You’ll just have to check around to see what options are there for you. A good place to start is the campus IT group
Hope that helps
May 23rd, 2010 at 9:57 am
Boradband and if you want to share, buy a router that has a usb plug
May 23rd, 2010 at 10:06 am
I assume you are in the UK.
Your best way to solve this problem is to get a land line from BT. You should also be able to get a package deal from them and a free Router / Modem that you all will be able to connect to.
Most ISPs supply the Modem / Router free, if BT will not do that then look elsewhere, but you will still need the BT line.
You could check to find out what cable companies are in your area and get a cable package, again with free Modem / Router.
These options will be far cheaper than using a connection through your mobile phones.
It is also easy to divide the bill into 3 equal parts as who used what will not come into the equation.
Do not do what “The Tank” suggested and connect to somebody else’s wireless connection, this is theft and illegal.
May 23rd, 2010 at 10:10 am
I can only speak for India and the UK. In India due to the size of country and poor infrastructure there is a USB dongle/device that is about the size and shape of a USB memory stick. It can get speeds here of up to around 3Mbs or 256Kb using dated CDMI tech.
In the UK British Telecom have a similar device only running at 8Mb. I would expect that if you are in the US it would be available due to the cast size of country. I think it works via cell phone or mobile phone masts.
You can’t get a shared line though it can work on any computer when you install the drivers. Course, it may be different in the West, I have pretty limited access to tech out here, you may be able to get some kind of router probably via the ISP you go with.
May 23rd, 2010 at 10:28 am
Contact you mobile phone provider about mobile broadband. You can get these on either a pay as you go or monthly contract for varying costs. just check who has the best mobile coverage in your area before buying.