One month speedy wifi n broadband, where do i get it from?

[CountessVonKnackerstein]

Got sky broadband coming in one month!!
(as bt said I'd have to upgrade and sign a new 12month contract to get my knackered home hub replaced) but til then ... I need broadband and wireless if possible! Any ideas?

Dongle?
Ask a neighbour if you can share their wifi for a month?

Depends how much you would use the internet, and what device(s) you want to connect.

Have you considered/ checked mobile network coverage ? How many GB of data do you expect to transfer ?

How much are you willing to spend (as I can imagine if it is this important to you, it may be to run a business) ?

We connect with one laptop and two iPhones, we do everything on the three of them. Does that help any?

Yes, but you might not like the suggestion (because of cost, or if Three gives no service where you are)!

If you got a Three mobile "mi-fi" (it's a mobile router that puts out a wi-fi signal for laptops, etc) and then get a 3 month/ 3 GB PAYG SIM, you'd be able to use the unit to share the 3 GB of web traffic between the units you have.

A brand new Mi-Fi unit costs 59.99 from Three (the model with mobile charger, so you would have a more attractive package to sell later if no longer needed), and then separately buy a SIM...

Most 3 mth/ 3 GB SIMs are on Ebay from 7.50 to 10.00 (and I have bought from Ebay with no problem). If you think you need more than 3 GB you should be able to get a fresh SIM posted before Christmas so you do not go without).

I use both mobile Three connection and landline and know how handy it is to have both (but I buy a SIM if I have nearly used up the monthly 15 GB allowance in the first 20 days of the month. If you expect to use less than 3 GB then some people are selling 1 GB but I would suggest not getting data upgrade from Three as the cost is higher direct.

Ah, now 3 is a bit pants round here. Do O2 make anything similar?

Have to admit no knowledge, and not even sure if an unlocked unit (from Three) will work, as Three uses 2100 MHz and not sure what other networks offer in your area.

I will see if I can find the OFCOM online search facility which shows masts near a postcode.

Have you checked the O2 web site for broadband options ? Are you a customer of O2 ? (I have PAYG mobiles on Orange, Virgin and Asda, SIMs for Vodafone and T-Mobile, and a data contract [not voice/text] with Three.)

I'm on O2 with my iPhone, as is DH.
Thanks!

Can your iPhone be tethered to allow the laptop access ?

Looks like internet will be via your iPhones, then, unless as someone else suggested, you can persuade a neighbour to allow you to access their broadband link via wi-fi.

Assuming that your BT broadband is still connected until the switch to Sky, get a cheap ADSL modem off ebay and use that until you get Sky.

How do I know if im still connected to bt? There's no wifi signal or anything being received (iPhones and laptop can't see it anyway) so im thinking if I got a home hub off freecycle and plugged that in would that work? With my original bt number and broadband?

Are you still being billed for broadband? You probably pay your broadband and line rental in advance. Somebody with more experience of the switching process could probably advise, but I would normally expect BT to continue providing and billing for a broadband service until the switch is complete.

Just plugging in a home hub off Freecycle might well work, but it will probably need some need some setup. It shouldn't really matter whether it's a home hub. Any ADSL router should work,

Yes I pay in advance, sky say the switch will be on 20th December. I'll have a look at a router, thanks for advice!! :)

Plugged in a freecycle hub, works fine, helloooo mumsnet!

Excellent