Can I get broadband/wifi if we have no phone line?

MissDisaster · 16-03-2020 06:13PM #1

Yes, this might seem like the daftest question yet today (Blame the self isolation, I'm going nuts here.) so please move if I've posted in the wrong place.

Basically I'm a student living with my parents, who got rid of the broadband and wifi years ago because they don't use it. Now I'm off from college we have to attend online lectures and I've come to the horrible realization that my mobile data plan isn't going to cut it. (Don't start me on Virgin Media's so called Unlimited plan....Fair usage Policy my a**.)

What I want to know is..

1. If we have no phone line, can I still get broadband? or am I restricted to a dongle?

2. With the self isolation ongoing, is there an online way to order a router if i need one? I dont want endanger anyone else if I can keep interaction to a minimum.

3. I live in Louth, is there a certain provider thats better signal wise over here or has anybody got any recommendations or deals?

cheers.x

whodafunk · 16-03-2020 06:14PM

MissDisaster wrote: »

Yes, this might seem like the daftest question yet today (Blame the self isolation, I'm going nuts here.) so please move if I've posted in the wrong place.

Basically I'm a student living with my parents, who got rid of the broadband and wifi years ago because they don't use it. Now I'm off from college we have to attend online lectures and I've come to the horrible realization that my mobile data plan isn't going to cut it. (Don't start me on Virgin Media's so called Unlimited plan....Fair usage Policy my a**.)

What I want to know is..

1. If we have no phone line, can I still get broadband? or am I restricted to a dongle?

2. With the self isolation ongoing, is there an online way to order a router if i need one? I dont want endanger anyone else if I can keep interaction to a minimum.

3. I live in Louth, is there a certain provider thats better signal wise over here or has anybody got any recommendations or deals?

cheers.x

Yes Eir and 3 Network do a 4G Wifi dongle. About €30 per month for 59gb download limit. No phone line required and you can bring it on the move. Available in their stores.

colm_mcm · 16-03-2020 06:18PM

What are your requirements for broadband, what’ll you be using it for, and how many people will be using it?

Have you ever used the hotspot feature on your phone? Just change your phone plan to a prepaid one with proper unlimited usage, like Three has for €20 a month.

MissDisaster · 16-03-2020 06:20PM

Thanks!

Its something I never thought about until it was too late really. Usual me. Am I right in saying there's no Unlimited option in Ireland? Only moved back a while ago and I have to keep reading the fine print when I excitedly find and "unlimited" deal anywhere.

MissDisaster · 16-03-2020 06:22PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

What are your requirements for broadband, what’ll you be using it for, and how many people will be using it?

Have you ever used the hotspot feature on your phone? Just change your phone plan to a prepaid one with proper unlimited usage, like Three has for €20 a month.

Mainly for online classes but after that itd be netlix and gaming. Only me using it and only on the tv and laptop.

Im currently using Virgin media Hotspot on my phone as Im tied in for another few months. Would it be worth getting a three sim and a separate phone/router box?

thegills · 16-03-2020 06:27PM

You might not have an active phone line but does your house still have the copper lines. I have Eirs broadband only product @â;‚¬54 per month. Its grand but depends on the distance to the nearest fibre cabinet

colm_mcm · 16-03-2020 06:32PM

MissDisaster wrote: »

Mainly for online classes but after that itd be netlix and gaming. Only me using it and only on the tv and laptop.

Im currently using Virgin media Hotspot on my phone as Im tied in for another few months. Would it be worth getting a three sim and a separate phone/router box?

Totally. I used a €20 prepay for months while I was waiting for my fixed line to be ready. No getting caught out with a huge bill.

stanley1 · 16-03-2020 06:37PM

gomo sim + 4g LTE router, Huawei, tp link, draytek.etc

Boxcar_Willie · 16-03-2020 06:43PM

Most of Louth is covered by Siro . Comes in over your electricity line.
Check with Vodafone , Digiweb & Sky.
They all have address checkers on their websites .

MissDisaster · 16-03-2020 07:10PM

stanley1 wrote: »

gomo sim + 4g LTE router, Huawei, tp link, draytek.etc

I think I understood half of that.:o

ED E · 16-03-2020 07:56PM

stanley1 wrote: »

gomo sim + 4g LTE router, Huawei, tp link, draytek.etc

Half right. Three first, Gomo as a fallback. Eirs capacity sucks.

MissDisaster wrote: »

I think I understood half of that.:o

1. Get a new Three sim
2. Top up by €20 every 28 days
3. Order something like these with express delivery: (or go to Argos and get it faster but with exposure to the public)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Archer-MR600-Unlocked-Configuration-required/dp/B07S7DMY3H/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=TP+4G&qid=1584388325&sr=8-3
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unlocked-Networks-Genuine-Warranty-Network/dp/B08235ZNPV/
4. Put sim in device
5. Put device in front window - do speedtest
6. Put device in rear window - do speedtest
7. Leave it where faster

seraphimvc · 31-03-2020 01:51PM

ED E wrote: »

Half right. Three first, Gomo as a fallback. Eirs capacity sucks.

1. Get a new Three sim
2. Top up by €20 every 28 days
3. Order something like these with express delivery: (or go to Argos and get it faster but with exposure to the public)
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Archer-MR600-Unlocked-Configuration-required/dp/B07S7DMY3H/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=TP+4G&qid=1584388325&sr=8-3
or
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unlocked-Networks-Genuine-Warranty-Network/dp/B08235ZNPV/
4. Put sim in device
5. Put device in front window - do speedtest
6. Put device in rear window - do speedtest
7. Leave it where faster

I am having the same problem as OP and i thought about using the three+4G LTE router as well. But I wonder did anyone try 5G?

What would be the best option in ireland now if I were to go with simcard 5G+router? i supposed the TP router you quoted there is fine?

https://grouptestwinner.com/best-4g-lte-router//
https://grouptestwinner.com/5g-router-comparison/
https://grouptestwinner.com/external-4g-antenna-aerial/
So it looks 4G it is still the way to go for awhile

Atomic Pineapple · 31-03-2020 02:45PM

Boxcar_Willie wrote: »

Most of Louth is covered by Siro . Comes in over your electricity line.
Check with Vodafone , Digiweb & Sky.
They all have address checkers on their websites .

Only available in Dundalk and Drogheda when I check the SIRO website. I know Louth is small but it's not limited to two towns.

whodafunk · 31-03-2020 02:57PM

Hi All,

I’m in same boat - cannot get fixed broadband line. Ordered vodafone and engineer who came out said he knows the area and it’s simply not possible!

Anyway I’m using Huawei device with 4g Eir sim card. €30 per month but 50gb download cap. Can I move to Three for €20 per month? I guess more or less same download speeds but cheaper and no download cap?

Thanks

ednwireland · 01-04-2020 08:51AM

whodafunk wrote: »

Hi All,

I’m in same boat - cannot get fixed broadband line. Ordered vodafone and engineer who came out said he knows the area and it’s simply not possible!

Anyway I’m using Huawei device with 4g Eir sim card. €30 per month but 50gb download cap. Can I move to Three for €20 per month? I guess more or less same download speeds but cheaper and no download cap?

Thanks

a gomo sim will give you 80gb for 12:99 a month (ive just put my home network on that and a tenda 4g router) -3 coverage is dire where i am

or if you have 3 coverage and it works then go for that

Can I get broadband/wifi if we have no phone line?

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