Stick modem & service in london

MATHA531 · **Stick modem & service in london -** 27-04-2010, 10:16

Hi guys...I need your help. Now that I have a small notebook, it now is much easier for me to bring it with me for my trips to London (2 or 3 times a year)...but unlike in the USA where almost every cheap hotel comes with wifi, the UK seems to be a killer when it comes to this...the wifi connections in the hotels I stay at are asininely expensive and while I have no problems of going into say a Starbucks buying a cup of coffee and going online, I still love the idea of being able to use my sling box and watch my 300 channel cable television choices on my lap top while in London (can't do without being able to watch the Mets struggle through a season or listen to WFAN) so....

I'm beginning to get into the idea of a stick modem with PAYG. Any suggestions for a carrier, and a PAYG plan say for a month's duration at a time or some other way of doing this (being technologically deprived to a degree but love all those gadgets)...

Thanks to all as good suggestions always come on this board.

adam917 · 28-04-2010, 02:30

Maybe you can go with Three (3)? Do they still have the largest 3G network in the UK (you mentioned streaming so you'll certainly need 3G)? They seem to have reasonable rates if their level of 3G coverage really is as large as they claim it to be. Others people have told me that 3 sucks due to their practice of outsourcing customer services, though I believe one should almost never need to speak to CS with a good operator.

Luckily as you're in the UK you have your pick of the litter as far as which operator to go with.

Malkav · 28-04-2010, 16:20

They claim they have the best coverage....but an individuals standard of good c/s is different.

petkow · 29-04-2010, 09:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by MATHA531

I'm beginning to get into the idea of a stick modem with PAYG. Any suggestions for a carrier, and a PAYG plan say for a month's duration at a time or some other way of doing this (being technologically deprived to a degree but love all those gadgets)...

Thanks to all as good suggestions always come on this board.

Hi Matha531,
I think you will be spoilt for choice when you get to the UK. Mobile data use or "Mobile broadband" as they like to call has become very competitive, both on contract and on prepaid plans ("Pay as you go"). There will always be some offer on, and the prices between operators all self-regulate due to healthy competition. My suggestion is to walk into any of the high street mobile shops and just get setup there and then on a prepaid plan. Personally I use o2, but you could also consider Three or for that matter any of the others.

For example at the moment in any o2 store, you can buy a modem for GBP 9.99 cash, which will come with a SIM configured for prepaid data use. Charges are dependent on use. (e.g. 3GB over a month for GBP15) See: O2 Mobile Broadband

You will note that with o2 on their plans they have a cap on how much UMTS data you can use, but then you can also sign into their public WiFI hotspots for unlimited use. For coverage of their WiFI spots (and their numerous affiliates) check their site.

"Three" have two options of prepaid. The better is a "1 month contract" which I think you should be able to get even being a visitor. (Check in store though). Three will get you a Stick for the same price (9.99) and 5GB of monthly data for GBP15.
Internet on the go with Mobile Broadband from 3

I am out of touch with other current deals in the UK, but I am sure some other UK users will be able to help more.

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	(#1)
MATHA531 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Specialist Posts: 869 Join Date: 15 Oct 2004 Country:	Stick modem & service in london - 27-04-2010, 10:16 Hi guys...I need your help. Now that I have a small notebook, it now is much easier for me to bring it with me for my trips to London (2 or 3 times a year)...but unlike in the USA where almost every cheap hotel comes with wifi, the UK seems to be a killer when it comes to this...the wifi connections in the hotels I stay at are asininely expensive and while I have no problems of going into say a Starbucks buying a cup of coffee and going online, I still love the idea of being able to use my sling box and watch my 300 channel cable television choices on my lap top while in London (can't do without being able to watch the Mets struggle through a season or listen to WFAN) so.... I'm beginning to get into the idea of a stick modem with PAYG. Any suggestions for a carrier, and a PAYG plan say for a month's duration at a time or some other way of doing this (being technologically deprived to a degree but love all those gadgets)... Thanks to all as good suggestions always come on this board.

	(#2)
adam917 (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Fan Posts: 187 Join Date: 14 Sep 2008 Location: North America Country:	28-04-2010, 02:30 Maybe you can go with Three (3)? Do they still have the largest 3G network in the UK (you mentioned streaming so you'll certainly need 3G)? They seem to have reasonable rates if their level of 3G coverage really is as large as they claim it to be. Others people have told me that 3 sucks due to their practice of outsourcing customer services, though I believe one should almost never need to speak to CS with a good operator. Luckily as you're in the UK you have your pick of the litter as far as which operator to go with.

	(#3)
Malkav (Offline) Senior Member Prepaid Expert Posts: 267 Join Date: 09 Jun 2006 Location: Malkavian University Country:	28-04-2010, 16:20 They claim they have the best coverage....but an individuals standard of good c/s is different. Current networks: Orange 3g UK, 3 pay monthly, Virgin pay as you go UK, 3UK payg, Tesco payg, Asda mobile Active phones: Blackberry Torch (02), Google Nexus one (Vodafone) Inactive Sims: Oskar Czech R, BT Genie Pay as you go UK. Spare (unused phones) NEC 616, Ericsson t68/i, Nokia 3310, Sendo m550, Mototorola v66i, Motorola a1000.lg u880, Sony Ericsson t230. Orange spv m5000, Samsung z400, Motorola SLVR (Red)!, lobster tv700, spv m700, prada phone, motorola l7e, Skype phone, siemens sl65, blackberry 8810, Nokia 6500 slide X2.