Connecting DeskTop PC using a 'dongle'

[Puzzled001]

To connect a desktop pc to internet via a 'dongle' do I need a router to plug it in ? or does it just go into a usb socket? My landline connection is so poor i'm thinking of going down the 'mobile' route as coverage is 'excellent' on vodaphone,orange and T- Mobile. Words of one sylable please.

[daymurphy]

A mobile broadband dongle simply plugs into a USB socket - no router required.

[Puzzled001]

Thanks,daymurphy, wow that was quick, looks like that's my solution then. Now i've just got to pick a provider, vodaphone seems to be coming out top but i'll give it some thought. Many thanks , again

[Jumbuck]

I use 3 mobile broadband all the time currently and, as daymurphy says, you just plug in the dongle and off you go. The connection speed will probably be noticeably slower than you might have been used to but one gets used to it (especially if alternative connections are unreliable).

[Jumbuck]

p.s. it's a good idea to know roughly what your monthly downloads/uploads are going to amount to because the companies can be very punitive if you exceed the limit you sign up to e.g. last time I checked 3 mobile charges 10p per MB = £100 per GB for overuse. But that's the sort of check for any broadband connection with monthly limits, not just mobile.

The deal I have cost just under £15 per month for 15 GB.

[Puzzled001]

Hi.JumBuck, as I don't download books/films/music , I would not think my usage is a great deal. Do you know if there is a 'tool' that will tell you your monthly usage ??. Would my current ISP know this ??

[daymurphy]

Any mobile internet provider will keep track of your usage so that you can easily monitor it.
They may not actually warn you if you are going over your limit though so it would be good to keep an eye on it.

[Jumbuck]

The one I use is Networx http://www.softperfect.com/products/networx/ but there are others which are more popular, although not necessarily more accurate.

[Jumbuck]

(sorry for needing several replies that could be collated into one)

Again as daymurphy has said, you log on to the mobile site and it tells you how much you have left for the month. A couple of months ago, when on a smaller allowance, I was unknowingly going to exceed my limit with a download but it stopped that from happening (I didn't know it did that, I thought it would just let you overrun), so there are protections in place.

[Puzzled001]

Hello again, i've downloaded 'networx' as reccomended , sounds stupid , but how do I use it to work out my monthly usage ??

[Jumbuck]

Just let it run for a few days to get an idea of your average daily use so that you can then estimate how much per month. Sorry if I didn't make it clear that it's just a monitor of your internet activity, it doesn't make predictions.

[Puzzled001]

hello again JumBuck, i've found the daily/weeklly/monthly usage charts and will monitor them. Does the say ,15GB usage allowance ,cover both in/out ( received/sent) content ?Do I have to watch such things as downloading photo's sent as email attachments ?( got a new granddaughter ). sorry to go on but i'm new to this 'mobile' game .

[Jumbuck]

Carry on but I give no promises to be able to answer all your questions.

Yes everything both ways including email attachments is included. But I would be very surprised if you get anywhere close to 15GB per month; the most common packages are for just 3GB per month which must mean that is enough for most users, and there are several companies that offer different deals for that amount.

This site http://www.thinkbroadband.com/mobile-broadband might provide all the info you need.

I have my laptop on many hours every day, doing whatever I like in terms of downloads, watching video streams, playing online games etc. and it just mounts up.

[Puzzled001]

Once again , many thanks, I'll moniter what I use over the next month then take it from there.

[hc4361]

Go to each provider's website and check the coverage in your area. I live in the middle of a big city and can't get coverage.

[Puzzled001]

Thanks for that hc4361, I'm fortunate that we have vodaphone, orange and T- Mobile masts at the bottom of the road, so coverage is excellent