Pay as you go Mobile Broadband

SimonMaher

Hello all,

First off, apologies if this is a regular question, went through the FAQ but found nothing but that could very easily be my fault!

Anyway, just back from London and paid a stack of cash for Internet access in my Hotel. Only sitting in Heathrow on my way home did I see an Ad for Vodafone pay as you go mobile broadband for 15 quid per GB. No contract, no "use it in 30 days" nonsense. Just use it when you need it and top up when you run out.

So (eventually), my question. Is there any provider in Ireland who is offering a similar service. Obviously the vodafone uk service doesnt enable it to be used here (otherwise I would have just bought a modem in heathrow!). Best I seem to be able to find is Vodafones €5 a day service. Any ideas if it can be used abroad?

Basically what Im looking for is a modem I can take with me outside of the city and on occasional visits to the UK and Europe. So, realistically about 60 Non-Consecutive days a year.

Thanks in advance,
Simon

Random

3 UK and 3 IE both have prepay broadband which can be used in UK and IE without extra roaming charges etc.

Can't speak for France though.

foggy_lad

yes you top up and buy a day/week/month of access for €5/€10/€25 but this access has an expiry of a day week or month so may not be what you are looking for, there is no provider here that offers Xgb for €Y without an expiry period.

Amalgam

If you buy a prepay 3 Network USB dongle you can get 10GB valid for 30 days, 25 euro.

Works in the UK without extra charges, as if at home, also may work in odd places like Spain or Portugal, where I think 3 Network have a presence.

I payed 99 euro for a Huawei E169G in June 2008, price might have gone down since.

Works fine, upload is questionable if your coverage isn't great. Avoid the bill pay like the plague.

drunkmonkey

Amalgam wrote: »

Works in the UK without extra charges, as if at home, also may work in odd places like Spain or Portugal, where I think 3 Network have a presence.

.

heard last week it's working in Barcelona...do you know anywhere else..

Kileir

From the 3 Ireland website...

Pay Monthly customers can use 3 Broadband on the 3 networks in the following countries:

• 3 UK
• 3 Italy
• 3 Sweden
• 3 Denmark
• 3 Austria
• 3 Hong Kong
• 3 Australia

3Pay customers can use Mobile Broadband on the 3 networks in the UK and Italy. You will be charged the same rates as you pay in Ireland, but you won't pay any roaming charges.

burrenyoga

Hi Simon,
To answer your question....... All pay-as-you-go Mobile Broadband in Ireland has a time limit by which it expires.

In the UK there is the sensible option of buying 5GB with no nonsense time limit of 1 day, or 1 week or 1 month that you have to use it up.

In Ireland we are not given this option.

All Pay-as-you-go mobile broadband in Ireland is by time limit.

You have to use it up by the time limit of 1 day, or 1 week or 1 month depending on the option you buy.

Hey Vodafone! 3G!
Why can't we have this option to buy 5GB to use as we see fit, without a time limit in Ireland?

I don't think O2 even offers a pay as you go mobile braodband in Ireland? (written August 2009)

Maybe if we wait long enough Vodafone and/or 3G will roll out this no-time-limit option here?

Dave

jor el

burrenyoga wrote: »

Maybe if we wait long enough Vodafone and/or 3G will roll out this no-time-limit option here?

3G is a technology used by Vodafone and other mobile operators, it is not a mobile operator. That's Three you're thinking of.

Walkman

Best option would be 3Irl pre pay modem. The UK have got rid of 3 Like Home so you will not be able to roam for free. You can now roam across Europe on 3pay for €4 per mb and in other countries worldwide from €7 per mb. Go to their site and pick what ever country you are going to and it will show the data roaming price. The quote above is for 3Like Home but as i have said data roaming has been extended

Here is a link to data roaming in Balgium and Czech Republic for example : http://www.three.ie/international/country_be_2.htm
http://www.three.ie/international/country_cz_2.htm

Random

Just to point out the OP is from Feb 2009

Headshot

sorry for the bump

but iv just some quick questions

im thinking of going for 3 prepay but they only have that Huawei E160G modem

im not sure what's that like compared to the E220 modem

should i just buy an unlocked E220 modem to use a 3 sim in it ??

jor el

The modem will make practically no difference to the terrible service you are likely to receive from Three.

Headshot

jor el wrote: »

The modem will make practically no difference to the terrible service you are likely to receive from Three.

I know I dont want to go near 3 but what else can i do,Im not going into another long term contract

no Broadband in my area too

if vodafone didnt offer that crap 5 euro a day thing instead of a descent plan I'd go with them

jor el

As long as you realise that you may well be throwing your money away, go for it. The modem will make no difference though, go with whatever's cheapest.

Headshot

I went into carphone warehouse and they told me I cant get 3 in my area

I know not to trust 3's website but the government broadband site says i should beable to get it

ferga_com

If the Three pay-as-you-go modem bought in Ireland works in the UK, would the Vodafone UK equivalent (with no silly time limits) bought in the UK not work over here?

If so, I'd get a relative in the UK to send me one.

jor el

No. Vodafone will charge you roaming rates.

rainbowdash

Just bumping this thread which came up via google so I've not looked at any other thread.

I am heading to the UK for a few days and am in a similar situation to the OP. I want broadband and no contract. I will be heading to the UK occassionaly as well as locations around Ireland from time to time.

What are the best options currently available?

Thanks in advance.

KenH

Bumping this old thread....

Are all networks still doing time limited packages for mobile broadband? What a crazy policy....if you buy a day and only use it for five minutes, it's a fiver down the drain. Unbelievable rip off!