Hi there. I would like to know the device that for a fee plug into your laptop and allows you to get onto the internet whilste you are abroad without haveing to go to an iternet cafe. I believe it is similar to a wireless dongle you use with a wireless router. Nigel
Getting on the internet abroad.
- Thread starter Nigel tindale
- Start date
I have always used the wireless module that's integrated in my laptop. Similar plug-in versions can be picked up at quite reasonable prices. With a bit of luck you may even be able to find a wifi hotspot in the vicinity of the campsite that isn't password protected, so you wouldn't have to pay anything, although I'd be a bit wary of doing any banking business that way. Actually, in built-up areas, the chances of finding free access are quite high. Sometimes, pubs and restaurants offer free access that's password protected as well. You just have to ask. Otherwise, you can always purchase access time from a local internet provider or an international service of a UK provider.
Hi Nigel
If you have a wireless laptop (whether built in or as a dongle) and you use it at home then you should be able to use this abroad if the site you are staying at has a wireless network. As you may know some sites are still charging exorbitant fees for this.
But what I think you are asking about is a 3G type dongle that when plugged into a USB port on your laptop allows you to connect to The Internet anywhere where there is a phone 3G signal. I think the price of this is about
If you have a wireless laptop (whether built in or as a dongle) and you use it at home then you should be able to use this abroad if the site you are staying at has a wireless network. As you may know some sites are still charging exorbitant fees for this.
But what I think you are asking about is a 3G type dongle that when plugged into a USB port on your laptop allows you to connect to The Internet anywhere where there is a phone 3G signal. I think the price of this is about
Scouse Ian's suggestion of accessing the internet via the mobile telephone network will, of course, work and coverage is obviously more universal than my suggestion, but it is also more expensive. If you don't need the luxury of being able to access the internet at any time, locating an existing wifi hotspot in the near vicinity is a cheaper, and sometimes even free, alternative. There are various databases in the internet giving details of where wifi hotspots are located (McDonald's restaurants, for a start).
When we were in France last year we parked next to the library with free internet access but just sat outside in the car and used the wi fi built into the lap top
Quite a few people did the same
Quite a few people did the same
If you have a BT Broadband at home? and you agree to join the FON Club. Then the FON network is free to use across Europe via other FON members broadbands.
https://www.bt.com/wifi/secure/whatsBTFon.do
I have run a check on all the places we will be visiting and copied the details into a file for use on our travels
https://www.bt.com/wifi/secure/whatsBTFon.do
I have run a check on all the places we will be visiting and copied the details into a file for use on our travels
Typical price in Spain for wifi at a campsite is 19 euros for 500 minutes for use within 60 days with your wireless laptop.
You purchase a login code at participating sites.
Works out at 3.5p/min.
Don,t forget a laptop is a target for theft......
you have to be careful where you use it in some of the free locations that are available!
You purchase a login code at participating sites.
Works out at 3.5p/min.
Don,t forget a laptop is a target for theft......
you have to be careful where you use it in some of the free locations that are available!
Current internet connection price (wifi) on this site in Spain is 1 euro/day unlimited download but have to buy a minimum of 30 days and in 30 day blocks.
Told by others this is about standard for many of the popular winter sites down the east coast.
This is OK for long stay but for short stays on different sites the 'dongle' may work out better (unless you have a long-term friend on site willing to share his connection - wine is the accepted bartering medium)
Told by others this is about standard for many of the popular winter sites down the east coast.
This is OK for long stay but for short stays on different sites the 'dongle' may work out better (unless you have a long-term friend on site willing to share his connection - wine is the accepted bartering medium)
Here's an interesting product for internet on the move:
http://www.solwise.co.uk/3g-routers-3gwifimrw.htm
It's a wireless router that you can plug a USB 3G dongle into, which means you create your own WiFi hotspot which uses a local mobile phone network to connect you up to the net.
Click the "Play video" link on the above page to see it in action.
It may be overkill if:
-- you're on a site with its own WiFi hotspot.
-- you only have one device that wants an internet connection.
But if you've got a laptop, an iPhone, a couple of kids with a Nintendo DS apiece... a wireless router to create your own hotspot is rather handy!
If you're down the bottom end of the site and want to improve your WiFi reception (or you want to fish around for whatever WiFi you can pick up), then one of these might be handy:
http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-outdoor-bridging-noc-3220.htm
or just one of these attached to your existing router:
http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-outdoorantenna-24.htm
I've found the people at Solwise to be *really* helpful -- seem to have all the time in the world to talk through exactly what you need and make recommendations. Give 'em a call!
(I should add that I have no connection to the company other than being a satisfied repeat customer.)
http://www.solwise.co.uk/3g-routers-3gwifimrw.htm
It's a wireless router that you can plug a USB 3G dongle into, which means you create your own WiFi hotspot which uses a local mobile phone network to connect you up to the net.
Click the "Play video" link on the above page to see it in action.
It may be overkill if:
-- you're on a site with its own WiFi hotspot.
-- you only have one device that wants an internet connection.
But if you've got a laptop, an iPhone, a couple of kids with a Nintendo DS apiece... a wireless router to create your own hotspot is rather handy!
If you're down the bottom end of the site and want to improve your WiFi reception (or you want to fish around for whatever WiFi you can pick up), then one of these might be handy:
http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-outdoor-bridging-noc-3220.htm
or just one of these attached to your existing router:
http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-outdoorantenna-24.htm
I've found the people at Solwise to be *really* helpful -- seem to have all the time in the world to talk through exactly what you need and make recommendations. Give 'em a call!
(I should add that I have no connection to the company other than being a satisfied repeat customer.)
I have just been looking at Vodaphone mobile modems for use abroad.
They are very clever in switching the running costs from Gb useage in UK - to Mb useage abroad. Punters beware!
We found the site prices in Spaim much higher that some correspondents have reported.
UK purchased PAYG modems are 'locked,' so sim card switchng is a no go. However a cost effective way mmay be to purchase a PAYG modem wherever you are.
I did look at this towards the end of our Sapin trip and the purchase prise was about
They are very clever in switching the running costs from Gb useage in UK - to Mb useage abroad. Punters beware!
We found the site prices in Spaim much higher that some correspondents have reported.
UK purchased PAYG modems are 'locked,' so sim card switchng is a no go. However a cost effective way mmay be to purchase a PAYG modem wherever you are.
I did look at this towards the end of our Sapin trip and the purchase prise was about
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