CJ Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 As most will know, my stay in the UK now looks to be a lot longer than originally anticipated. To this end I have acquired a place to live and I am now looking to put in a broadband package as I cannot see me being able to live with just having net access on my kindly lent Iphone. So, the question is, which one to go for? I am really looking at a line and broadband deal as I cannot really afford the Sky TV packages on offer. If it helps people to be able to recommend, the post code of the new place is CF47 8HP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 I was going to recommend using a 3g type connection, but with that post code you would be better using a bit of wet string. TalkTalk do a good phone and broadband bundle, Plusnet are pretty reliable so either of those would probably do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Just thinking out loud here but will most not demand a 12 month contract? If you can get cable I would always go with that. If you get the phone and internet you get the TV for free which is always a bonus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wez Posted October 22, 2011 Share Posted October 22, 2011 Zen are monthly contract and very reliable, not the cheapest though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 I think Plusnet are contract free too, they maintain their service is so good you wont want to leave them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 23, 2011 Author Share Posted October 23, 2011 Just thinking out loud here but will most not demand a 12 month contract? If you can get cable I would always go with that. If you get the phone and internet you get the TV for free which is always a bonus TBH I'm not too sure how long I'm going to be back in the UK. The best possible scenario seems to be until next April and that's what my positive head is aiming for. If that's the case and I leave then, what will they do? Sue me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 23, 2011 Author Share Posted October 23, 2011 Zen are monthly contract and very reliable, not the cheapest though. Due to my financial situation, I may have to trade off some reliability for cost savings. I will have a look though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 23, 2011 Author Share Posted October 23, 2011 I think Plusnet are contract free too, they maintain their service is so good you wont want to leave them. I will have a look at them today. Thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 You can't really go wrong with Plusnet. We run their business ADSL at work, we have about 12 lines from them and in 4 years I think I have seen 2 of those lines have problems. Bear in mind you are going to need a BT landline to put the ADSL on. If you can get 3g coverage where you are then you could just run a PayG 3g broadband connection from somebody like 3 or voda. But coverage for good 3g is flaky over your way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 23, 2011 Author Share Posted October 23, 2011 If you can get 3g coverage where you are then you could just run a PayG 3g broadband connection from somebody like 3 or voda. But coverage for good 3g is flaky over your way. Sorry for being a numpty but I'm assuming this 3G is the same as I'm currently using on my borrowed IPhone 3g? If so, then the signal strength is ok. If I went with someone like 3 or Voda would then that would have to be through a dongle and laptop? If so, is this the same as running the dongle through a pc USB? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 Get yourself a PAYG 3 SIM and check the coverage - they've got the best data deals Free SIM here: https://www.three.co.uk/Pay_As_You_Go/Free_SIM/Order Pop it in the phone and then check. If it's good signal, then get a dongle? All networks, I think, offer free PAYG SIM's - so choose the best signal for you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 Yes, 3g is the stuff thats on the i-phones. 2 options, you get a dongle with an unlimited data sim (for £15 a month I think..) or go to a 3 shop and buy a MiFi unit. It looks like this and allows up to 5 devices to connect wirelessly on WIFI but you cannot use the unlimited data Payg unit. It does mean the wifi goes with you wherever you go. http://www.handtec.co.uk/shopimages/products/normal/3G_MiFi_3GB_M.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted October 23, 2011 Share Posted October 23, 2011 if you are after the simplest and cheapest option, and only have 1 laptop that needs to connect then go for a dongle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 23, 2011 Author Share Posted October 23, 2011 I've just ordered a free SIM from 3 and will see how the signal is. I already have one of the O2 sims through Giffgaff that I currently use as a PAYG and I am sure I can dig out an Orange one too. That should help me make a comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted October 24, 2011 Share Posted October 24, 2011 3G dongle will work out expensive if you're likely to go over the bandwidth limits, which are pretty low. I use Andrews & Arnold, cheap, monthly contracts, and you can even pay by internet banking without setting up a direct debit if you don't want to (only for tariffs over £20 though). They're very much a techies broadband provider and can provide dual bonded ADSL lines etc. too. http://aaisp.net.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 Still waiting for the 3 sim to get here to test out the signal but in the meantime, another numpty question. Can a dongle be used via a pc USB or only a laptop? I ask as I have neither at the minute but will be looking for a cheapish second hand one when I decide which route to go down. I will also need whichever I buy to be able to connect to a tv via hdmi and with that in mind, laptop or pc the better option? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 The dongle can go into either. If the budget is REALLY low I would say the PC would be the better option as you could pick one up silly cheap (people even give them away now to save space) and buy a cheap GFX card with HDMI out for around £20. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 Thanks Scott. Now to find one being given away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 My cousin gave hers away a few weeks ago. 17" TFT and everything. In fact I have a 17" TFT monitor you are welcome to, however I don't have the power adapter for it (at least I didn't the last time I had a quick look). The trouble with the free ones is that they may not have the mainly required PCi-E slot. Whatever PC you buy just make sure it has that slot as it's what the GFX card with HDMI will plug into. There are alternatives but they are more expensive from what I remember. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 Thanks for the info Scott. Due to a lack of space, I'm going to have to run the pc through the tv via a hdmi cable and that will probably mean a freebie will be out of the question. This all sounds as if I am a meany but the truth is that the lifestyle I chose out in Kos meant very low wages and now, moving back here with little or no disposable, it has meant I have had to turn to second hand and freebies to furnish the flat etc. Of course, the £65 a week they hive me to live on doesn't allow too much in the way of spending power either . But, after all that, the service and care I'm getting so far off the NHS has certainly made coming back very worthwhile! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Thanks for the info Scott. Due to a lack of space, I'm going to have to run the pc through the tv via a hdmi cable and that will probably mean a freebie will be out of the question. This all sounds as if I am a meany but the truth is that the lifestyle I chose out in Kos meant very low wages and now, moving back here with little or no disposable, it has meant I have had to turn to second hand and freebies to furnish the flat etc. Of course, the £65 a week they hive me to live on doesn't allow too much in the way of spending power either . But, after all that, the service and care I'm getting so far off the NHS has certainly made coming back very worthwhile! Fully understand your situation mate I used to have loads of bits and bobs lying around that I could have thrown together, typical eh lol. I'm not sure if these work or not. If they do it could save you a lot of money and hassle. That way you can get whatever you want.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-Optiplex-GX280-full-size-Tower-PC-2-8ghz-SP3-XP-/110764942170?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item19ca1ae35a http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dell-Optiplex-520-PC-P4-3-0GHz-512MB-40GB-CD-ROM-/180693029150?pt=UK_Computing_DesktopPCs&hash=item2a1224d11e Notice the "make offer" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 Just checked and those cables won't work without a converter which is pricey. I've been thinking about this though, does the TV not have analogue input? Can it not take a scart cable or RCA or VGA? What model is the TV? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 29, 2011 Author Share Posted October 29, 2011 I will have to check when I get back home as I am at the big pit mining museum at blaenavon where I am entertaining my weekend guests Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 30, 2011 Author Share Posted October 30, 2011 Sorry for the delay. The tv is an acoustic solutions model number LCD 26805hd. It has 1 x hdmi, 1 x yrw, 1 x rgb and 2 x scart Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Posted October 30, 2011 Author Share Posted October 30, 2011 I've been speaking to another mate tonight about the dongle and 3 and he seems to think that the fact I may use the system to download from torrent sites will mean it will be an expensive option. I'm unsure now what to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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