Travel with your laptop and want to connect to the internet? Free, legal wireless hotspot connections are more common than you think, plus now 3G web packages allow you broadband speeds at a decent price even where there’s no wireless. This is a detailed guide to getting web on the move for free; and a full comparison of the cheapest 3G packages.
There's now better ways to go wireless...Choose the right route for you
Al fresco web access comes in two distinct forms. Wireless internet access allows your computer to connect through the air to a broadband connection in a pub/hotel/shop provided you’re within 20 or 30 metres of the access point. Alternatively 3G mobile broadband requires a special piece of hardware, which enables you to use it anywhere providing there’s a mobile phone signal.
No local broadband availability?
If you live in an area where broadband still isn't available for whatever reason, and you're forced to use a dial-up connection, 3G broadband could be just what the doctor ordered. The cheapest package is £10/month (see below, 24 month contract), so you could feasibly make a saving, get faster web access, and spare yourself hassle by switching. More info: Cheapest 3G Packages
Frequent business traveller?
If you often travel around the country or in Europe and require web access for work, 3G broadband could also prove the most convenient option. Whilst it's possible to find free wireless in most areas, 3G will allow you to surf and check emails in hotel rooms and on trains, yet avoid extravagant wireless access fees.
The question here is do you travel often enough to justify taking out a contract, or would it be more economical to Pay As You Go? The latter may be more convenient, but requires an initial spend for the USB modem. More info: PAYG 3G broadband
Only travel with your laptop occasionally?
If you're currently paying for broadband at home, and will only occasionally need to access the net when travelling, then using wireless hotspots is probably your best bet. Find out where to look for them below. More info: Free Wireless
Often move home?
If you rent and frequently change location then going 3G may save you cash, and it'll certainly save you the headache and wasted time of constantly switching landlines.
Looking for home broadband?
All the top current deals are in the Cheapest Broadband article.
Wireless web access
Wireless is a clever bit of technology that allows your computer to send and receive data through thin air. Nowadays, almost all new computers and laptops have wireless capability, or 'Wi-Fi', built in and ready to use. Yet even if not, most can be upgraded cheaply with USB wireless network adaptors (Read Wikipedia's Wi-Fi definition).
In this case the term 'hotspot' thankfully has nothing at all to do with Michael Barrymore. It's simply an area in which you can get a wireless network signal, and there are thousands spanning the country. Connecting to hotspots operated by T-Mobile and other large commercial companies (prevalent in high street coffee chains and the like) can cost a pretty penny (e.g. BT Openzone £6, T-mobile Hotspots £5 per hour). However, there are many places to connect for free.
In any built-up area it's unlikely you'll be far from free wireless access, though do check it's official 'free wireless', and you're not just using someone's private connection; it's an offence to use non-public services without permission.
Get it free across the UK!
First of all, if you're in town, you can find free wireless access at these high street mainstays:
McDonalds restaurants.
As part of the fast food giant's campaign to attract a more upmarket clientele and bring more business people through the doors, it's now offering free wireless access. The networks, provided by The Cloud, should be accessible instantly; just select them from your machine.
JD Wetherspoons pubs.
The sprawling Wetherspoons chain of pubs has now ditched its voucher system, and offers all-comers totally free access. However, stay for too long without buying anything and you might get a few funny glances from the bar.
Walkabout pubs.
Aussie pub chain walkabout also offers all customers unlimited free Wi-Fi. Again though, you may need to buy something out of politeness if you want to stay awhile!
Slug & Lettuce.
The Slug & Lettuce chain now boasts free Wi-Fi throughout. The networks, provided by The Cloud, should be accessible instantly; just make sure you choose the right one.
Pret a Manger.
The tasty sandwich emporium now offers totally free, no-password-necessary wireless to all comers (and people standing nearby, ahem...)
Coffee Republic cafes.
The majority of Coffee Republics in the UK now feature free wireless access throughout for paying customers. The system works like Wetherspoons' used to; you get a voucher with a code on when you buy something, and this code gets you online. Allowance is a touch miserly though; a £2 spend gets you 20 mins access, and £5 gets you 45 mins.
If you've web access and a few spare minutes at home, there are a host of sites that list wireless hotspots, and a few tools to help you find them. One of the most popular (and hence up-to-date), is JiWire, which allows you to type in a postcode or place name and search for local spots amongst the 25,000 or so on its database.
It's also worth checking My Hotspots, Free Hotspot, and Hotspot Locations for finesse. Where necessary, be sure to limit your search to hotspots listed as free only.
Become a 'fonero' or 'BTfonero'
Another alternative is to get involved with Spanish company Fon, which is trying to turn the world into one giant hotspot through wireless connection sharing. The idea's simple, you buy a special wireless router (£33) which splits your connection in two; one secure part for you, and one open part for other members of the Fon community, who in exchange offer you use of the open part of their own wireless networks, wherever they are in the world.
BT internet users needn't buy the Fon router at all, since BT's done a deal with the company allowing users to securely split their connections and become 'foneros' too, which gives the Fon community impressive overall coverage (see coverage maps). BT total broadband customers that sign up for the scheme now also get totally free access to BT's widespread 'OpenZone' hotspots, which usually costs up to £6/hour.
Safe surfing
Whilst the existence of wireless networks accessible to everybody is undoubtedly a great thing, there are a couple of things to watch out for. Try not to enter any secure info when using public Wi-Fi spots, as there's risk it can be intercepted by others on the network and used for that most dreaded thing; identity fraud.
Second, it's easy to get lost in the web; the presence of a few people focused on their laptops is a big draw for pickpockets and bag thieves, so keep an eye on your stuff at all times.
3G Broadband: sounds futuristic, what is it?
Instead of connecting through a landline, 3G web access makes use of mobile phone networks to send data, meaning you can connect wherever there's a mobile signal. Yet you don't need a mobile phone to do it; these packages come supplied with a little modem that takes its place.
With the exception of Vodafone and 3's special HSDPA networks (which aren't exactly 'reliable'), mobile broadband's generally not as fast as home broadband. Good 3G coverage is the most important factor; only a few areas of the country support the fastest data standard, but 90% can get a basic 3G signal, which should still provide much faster speeds than dial-up.
Got a 3G mobile handset & need urgent web access?
If your mobile's capable of sending/receiving 3G data, the chances are you can already connect it to your laptop (either via a supplied cable or Bluetooth) and get on the net that way. However, unless you've got a special package data costs can quickly spiral out of control so this should be saved for emergencies, and you must take care not to download more than necessary (see How to minimise data use).
Choosing a mobile broadband package
There are a few crucial things to consider when deciding on a 3G package:
Where can you use it?
No matter how fast the package you choose is, or how big your data allowance, it ain't gonna work if the 3G signal's poor where you are. So, check each network's 3G coverage maps/coverage checker, and then, if you or a friend have a 3G mobile phone handset, use that to check actual reception where you use your computer.
How much can you use it?
Like some regular broadband providers, mobile networks limit the amount you're allowed to download each month. Go over this limit and you may be liable for extra charges (depending on provider). Since these can run to over £100/GB (3 Mobile), they must be factored in to your choice.
The limits are measured in gigabytes (GB), which each consist of 1,024 megabytes (MB). In practical terms, 1GB should be enough if all you do is surf and check emails, but if you plan to download music & video you're likely to need more.
For a very rough idea of how much bandwidth you'll use by doing certain things online, use this simple usage calculator from WebUser.
Are there any upfront charges?
There's nothing mobile networks like more than tying you to a good ol' contract, and mobile broadband packages are no exception. Currently, most packages will only give you the 3G modem for 'free' if you sign up for 24 months. It's possible to get shorter term contracts, but you'll have to pay for it separately, upping the effective monthly cost. However, this is still cheaper if you're not going to use it for 24 months.
Will you use it abroad?
If you take your computer to work on abroad, you need to be careful; most 3G packages can cost a fortune even for a small amount of data use. So when abroad, if possible limit your use to just a few minor emails; then to do any hardcore work connect via a web café or wireless hotspot as it’ll be cheaper.
BEST BUYS: Cheapest 3G Web Access
Mobile broadband is now available on most networks, but services vary dramatically. Vodafone's the fastest, offering a potential 7.2 Mbps in the few areas which have HSDPA support. 3 comes second in terms of advertised speed, and also offers the cheapest service overall, but carries a sting in the tail; it's not unlimited and charges a massive rate for usage over included allowance.
All the packages below include software for monitoring data throughput, but it's also worth installing a free bandwidth monitor like tbbMeter, Rokario or Netmeter to be doubly sure you don't go over the limit. If you don't need the broadband right now, it may be worth waiting for a special offer to come around. Occasional exclusive deals between 3 mobile and cashback site Quidco* mean you can get a 5GB package for as little as £7.50 a month.
The following are the current top picks from the main suppliers:
3 Mobile Broadband Lite. £10/mth ( £7.50/mth for existing customers), 1GB monthly limit
The entry level package from the 3 Network* includes a low 1 GB monthly download allowance, and requires you to take out an 18 month contract to get its USB wireless adaptor for free. Otherwise you'll pay up to £50 for it. If you use the modem in one of 3's 'turbo' areas (use its coverage checker to find them), transfer speeds of up to 2.8 Mbps are possible, though in reality around half that is a reasonable maximum.
On the downside, overage charges are high; if you go beyond the limit it’s an extra 10p per MB downloaded, or a huge £102 per GB. So be sure use 3's My3 service to keep tabs on your data usage, and install a third-party usage monitor. If there’s any chance you’ll use more than 1 GB, opt for a package with a bigger download limit; 3's regular broadband costs £15/mth (£7.50 for existing customers), and gets you a much healthier 5GB limit.
QUICK FACTS. Speed: Up to 3.2 MB Modem & Connection Fee Included: Yes (subject to 18 month contract) Technical Support Phone Costs: 4p+ (0870) Additional Usage Costs: 10p/mb (£102/GB) Roaming Costs: £3/6 per mb Contract length: 18 Months
Superfast Vodafone Mobile Broadband. £15 a month, 3GB monthly limit
Especially good for Londoners, Vodafone offers by far the fastest speeds in areas with support for its high-speed HSDPA network (currently mostly London and airports); up to 7.2 Mbps download, and 1.44MB upload. Customers outside the city and airports can still expect good speeds provided they've good Vodafone 3G reception (see its coverage maps first), and user feedback has been very positive.
However, the offer's not all positive; go over the limit even slightly and you'll be charged for the next full GB of use, which costs £15. It's steep, but at least has less potential to shock than 3's £102/GB excess charge.
QUICK FACTS. Speed: Potential 7.2 Mbps Download Limit: 3 GB Modem & Connection Fee Included: Yes (subject to 12 month contract) Technical Support Phone Costs: 4p+ (0870) Additional Usage Costs: £15/GB Roaming Costs: £9.99 per 24hrs in selected countries (fair usage applies), £4.99/mb in others Contract length: 12 Months
- Orange. £14.68 month, or £12.23 for contract customers. 3GB mobile broadband
Existing Pay Monthly Orange* customers can take advantage of a current promotion whereby they get 3 months free on it's 18-month, 3GB mobile broadband package, bringing the effective monthly price down to £12.23. To get the special deal customers must call 0800 0790 409, and ask specifically for the offer.
As a standard package, since it boasts neither the zippy speeds of Vodafone (for city-dwellers, anyway), the bundled Wi-Fi of O2 & T-Mobile's offerings, or the bigger data allowances offered by Three, Orange mobile broadband is quite unexceptional. If coverage is an issue you can return the dongle within two weeks of receipt; Orange offers a 'two-week coverage guarantee'.
QUICK FACTS. Speed: Up to 1.8 MB Download Limit: 3 GB Modem & Connection Fee Included: Yes (subject to 18 month contract) Technical Support Phone Costs: Free Additional Usage Costs: 1.4p/MB Roaming Costs: up to £6.46/mb Contract length: 18 Months
- O2. £14.69/month, 3GB mobile broadband with Wi-Fi
O2's 3GB mobile broadband package includes a free dongle on 18 & 24-month contracts, and unlimited wireless access at 'the cloud' hotspots, for £15/month. It's also available as a rolling 1-month contract, but then you have to pay £99.99 for the dongle, so this has limited appeal (Three's PAYG package below's a better bet for most).
The network is also the first to offer a proper 50-day money-back guarantee (or in saccharine marketing terms, a 'Happiness Guarantee'); so if you sign up and it doesn't work for you, just take it back for a refund (though not of data charges). If you want a higher allowance, a 10GB package is available for £30/mth, but only on a 24-month contract.
A bonus with this package is that you get free access to over 3,500 BT Openzone hotspots (as well as 'the cloud') when you sign up. This includes 650 in Starbucks cafes, which are set to be installed by the end of summer 2009.
QUICK FACTS. Speed: Up to 1.8 MB Download Limit: 3 GB Modem & Connection Fee Included: Yes (subject to 18 month contract) Technical Support Phone Costs: Free Additional Usage Costs: 20p/MB Roaming Costs: up to £6/mb Contract length: 18 Months
3 Mobile Broadband MAX. £15/mth ( No existing customer offers), 15GB monthly limit
A current promotion means you can get the top-level, 15GB package from the 3 Network for just £15/month, though you do have to take a 24 month contract with it. Advertised speed is up to 1.8 Mbps normally but up to 2.8 Mbps in 3's 'turbo' areas (use its coverage checker to find them), though like all these things, the reality can be a fair bit slower.
Aside from the massive data allowance (3 says 97% of its customers don't exceed 15GB), this package is the same as the basic one above, so you get the 3 'like home' cheap access in selected countries abroad. Costs remain high outside these areas though.
QUICK FACTS. Speed: Up to 3.6 MB Modem & Connection Fee Included: Yes (subject to 24 month contract) Technical Support Phone Costs: 4p+ (0870) Additional Usage Costs: 10p/mb (£102/GB) Roaming Costs: £3/6 per mb Contract length: 24 Months
Don't want a contract? You can Pay As You Go too
If you only need infrequent 3g access, for example whilst travelling, then it makes no sense to pay monthly. Instead, you could take advantage of 3's Pay As You Go service, the first of its type in the country. If you're considering it, watch out for special offers, and other providers selling the kit; Three often does special deals for students, and occasional one-off promotions..
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£29.99 for modem, then £10 for 1GB, £15 for 3GB, or £25 for 7GB top-up. Three Pay As You Go broadband.
The Three Network's Pay As You Go package gets you the same service as you'd get on a contract, with the same standard data costs, but you're not obliged to pay every month. Unfortunately, top-ups expire after 30 days, making this less competitive than it could be for infrequent users, but if you get the modem at a good price then it's still a good deal.
There's one major major caveat though; to get anything like the full value of your top-up, you must convert it to an 'add-on', using the my 3 service online. Otherwise, you'll be charged £1 per MB you use - that's just 10MB from a £10 top-up, or 100th of the 1GB you paid for. The conversion process is quite simple (here's Three's guide), though it's irksome to do it each time you top up. You can avoid it entirely by taking out a 30-day rolling contract instead, which costs the same.QUICK FACTS. Speed: Up to 3.6 Mbps Download Limit: Varies Modem & Connection Fee Included: Connection free, modem bought Technical Support Phone Costs: 4p+ (0870) Costs if you don't convert to 'add-on': £1/mb (£1024/GB) Roaming Costs: £3/6 per mb Contract length: N/A
How to minimise data use.
If the 3G package is for when you're out and about, and you've normal broadband elsewhere, it's worth minimising your data use as it's more expensive. Here are a few tricks:
Turn off automatic updates.
This is probably the most important way to save download allowance, and the easiest way to get caught out. Many programs, as well as operating systems themselves, routinely check for available updates and download them. Downloads can run to hundreds of megabytes; not ideal if that's all you have to play with. Turn them back on when you have the bandwidth though, or you might leave security holes open on your machine.
Turn off images when you surf.
If you're content to do without pictures when browsing (even just temporarily) then it's usually easy to disable them. In Internet Explorer, click Tools, then the 'advanced' tab, and scroll down the list to Multimedia. In that section, uncheck the 'show pictures' box and while you're there, the Play animations in webpages' box. The procedure's similar in all browsers.
Use webmail.
If you currently manage your emails with a program like Outlook or Thunderbird (and you get a lot of unnecessary ones), you may save data by signing up to a web-based service like MS Live Hotmail, Yahoo Mail or Gmail. It should be possible to re-direct your emails there and view them without downloading, so if a friend decides to send you party pictures when you're away in Spain, you can choose not to download them 'til you get back. (see m'blog).
Get rid of Ad/Spyware.
Adware and spyware programs, which usually manage to sneak onto your machine without you noticing, can use up your valuable allowance by talking to their leaders out in cyberspace. They can also leave your computer prone to attack by all manner of other nasties, so it's worth downloading a free tool to get rid of them (on another connection if possible). Find one in the Kit Out Your PC For Free article.
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