Pay as you go WiFi for hospital

Midnight Sundance

Hi all,

I'm looking to try and sort out some sort of Internet WiFi device for my dad who is probably going to need quite a few hospital visits shortly In the future.

I was hoping to get him a tablet and some sort of device that could provide WiFi for it.

I would suggest hotspot off his phone but can't see him being able to manage that so I'd like to get some sort of portable WiFi device that I could set up with the tablet before he went in.. id imagine the tablet wouldn't have a USB port.

Can anyone recommend what type of WiFi device I should get?

(Also ,what forum should I go to for tablet recommendations? Tia )

dam099

If its solely to be used with a tablet that's yet to be purchased you could also consider a tablet with mobile connectivity built in, some Apple iPad and Samsung models have this (and probably other Android brands too).

Midnight Sundance

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118456962#Comment_118456962

Oh really? I didn't know that was even possible. I'm so not educated in any of this stuff anymore

NSAman

Why not use the personal wifi hotspot off the phone?

dam099

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118456988#Comment_118456988

Examples here (not a recommendation of these specific ones as I have never used this functionality)

https://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/8345035/c_1/1%7Ccategory_root%7COffice%252C%2BPCs%2Band%2Bphones%7C14418968/c_2/3%7Ccat_50000560%7CiPads%252C%2Btablets%2Band%2Be-readers%7C50000561.htm

https://www.apple.com/ie/shop/buy-ipad/ipad-10-2/64gb-space-grey-wifi-cellular

boombang

Setting up the hotpot on the phone has to be way eaiser than getting an additional device. This typically is not complicated. Just set it up for him, leave the hotspot on all the time and he'll be fine. Battery life should not be a problem if he's in a bed and has a charger handy.

My aul' fella was in a similar situation. Just went through it one or two times and he got it.

Midnight Sundance

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118457006#Comment_118457006

I thought he'd have to turn it on/off all the time and I'm not sure if he'd figure out how to access it etc. It'd be grand if I knew for sure I'd get in to see him but I wouldn't be guaranteed that there won't be restrictions on visiting etc

dam099

Using a hotspot is more cost effective if he can be using his phone data allowance. A MiFi device or tablet with mobile data will require an additional plan/PAYG topup.

ARX

Eir mobile broadband maybe? 6 month contract, 100GB/month, device included.

https://www.eir.ie/mobile/broadband/

niallb

Is his phone an android or an iphone?

Chromebooks can automatically manage the network connection on a nearby phone logged in to the same account, and plenty of them will work as a large tablet with android apps too.

They're a bit heavier than a standard tablet because usually you fold the keyboard over to the back of the screen, but they're cheaper than the Apple stuff and sometimes having the option of a keyboard works well for older generations.

elperello

Have you checked with the hospital?

They may have free Wi Fi available.

Wildly Boaring

Pretty sure it was these guys we used for something very similar.

Either way google dongle rental....

There's a few options. Not cheap but very handy and took the faff out if it for the older generation. We just paid for it.....

https://travelwifi.ie/ireland-wifi/

dam099

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118457255#Comment_118457255

You're not kidding about not cheap. You could buy a similar device to what they are showing unlocked and get a month of PAYG data for their 30 day price.

Wildly Boaring

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118457434#Comment_118457434

Yep

I was flat out working. No time to trapse about shops sorting. Wasnt allowed visit the poor man. Wifi in hospital was awful. He loves a but if donedeal and YouTube.

Ordered dongle. Arrived next day in post. Gave it and my ipad to his wife. Let on dongle was mine. he gave it back to me after stay.

Came with stamped addressed envelope. I sent it back to them. Like all these services you're paying for convenience. And I was short on time. Unfortunately can't remember was it that exact company.

Capt'n Midnight

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118457207#Comment_118457207

Gomo is the same network €5 cheaper, 20GB more data, 30 day contract and when you hit 120GB the connection slows down instead of charging more so he won't have to worry about the cost or losing connection.

Midnight Sundance

Thank you so much for the replies. I'm gonna check them all out

boombang

Hope your dad gets on OK with his treatment.

niallb

What's your budget for the tablet?

You'll eat into that with an extra contract and extra device. CeX is a good source, offer a good warranty and very fast delivery.

Just found that if he has an iPhone an iPad can silently bring up his hotspot as required if they're near each other.

My own father is 90 so I'm well used to the kind of simplicity that's needed with these solutions! He resisted smartphones until about 5 years ago, but loves his iPhone now. It works with his hearing aid so he can hear properly on the phone again.

olearydc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118458231#Comment_118458231

If you are based in cork and need something, let me know. Have a Huawei midi device and can lend it to you if needed. All the best with your dad

Midnight Sundance

Thank you so much for the offer. I got him sorted with a lenovo tab. It has a sim card slot and gonna put one in it for him. He's to have treatment first before the big operation so it'll still keep company and he can get used to it before he will have to stay in hospital.

Really appreciate all the advice, I never would have known to look for a tablet with a sim slot.