Laptop internet through mobile phone

Back to Broadband Genie forum >

Share your reviews, rants and opinions

Post a reply 4 Comments

  • neutral

    by MarkP at 14:28 on 30 Jul 2009Report abuse

    I'm looking for an "emergency backup" internet connection for when my home broadband is down.

    I can connect my laptop to the internet using my mobile phone as a modem (either through Bluetooth or a modem cable).

    Is this charged in the same way as accessing the internet directly on my mobile phone?
    (Eg with Vodafone this is 50p/day or £5/month max 500MB) If so this seems a lot cheaper than the typical mobile broadband deals. Why wouldn't a lot more people do it this way rather than buy a USB dongle and pay eg £15/month?

    (OK I know it might be a bit slower but with a 3G phone it seems fine for checking emails etc)

    I can't seem to find hardly any information about using my mobile phone as a modem...

    Thanks,
    MarkP

  • Matt - EditorEditor - Matt

    by Matt at 11:43 on 5 Aug 2009 | registered | 771 postsReport abuse

    Hi Mark,
    What you're doing is known as tethering, and you'll need to be careful to ensure that you don't get hit with a massive bill. Many mobile data plans forbid the use of a phone as a modem; on O2 for example iPhone users must pay extra for a tethering package to use their handsets as modems.

    From what we can tell Vodafone are not as restrictive as some. Their terms and conditions forbid the use of a mobile broadband dongle SIM in a phone handset but we couldn't see anything that stops you from using a phone as a modem. You should call up and check just to be sure, but it looks as though you'll be okay.

    One reason people purchase a mobile broadband dongle is the ease of use, just plug it in and away you go. You also get higher data limits (effectively unlimited for light users) and it's much simpler when it comes to costs, you pay your monthly rate or buy a top-up voucher and then you know exactly how much data you've got to use and can control your spending. And while tethering a phone is very useful if you use mobile broadband occasionally, dongles are a more permanent solution that can offer an alternative to fixed-line internet access. If you only need mobile broadband as a backup to a home broadband line then there's no reason to buy a dongle when you can simply use your handset.

  • neutral

    by MarkP at 14:55 on 5 Aug 2009Report abuse

    Hi Matt,

    Thanks for your helpful reply.

    From what I can tell there's no way the service provider can differentiate between a tethered laptop + mobile phone, versus internet access on the mobile itself.

    (eg see http://forum.vodafone.co.uk/index.php?s=0d12159cec22e4c68e398f550d8a14ad&showtopic=32026&view=findpost&p=212707)

    It seems that they all want to steer you down the route of a separate USB dongle, which for many people will be a better option. But for "emergency use", eg to check emails with no large attachments, I think it's better value coming from my monthly 500MB mobile internet allowance. (If I go over the 500MB eg downloading movies etc, well then they will charge me a lot.)

    As with many things, this appears not so much a technical issue as a political/commercial one.
    After all the implication is that they should also be able to provide USB dongles at £5/month for 500MB - I suspect they're deliberately not doing this as they want to keep the monthly revenues higher.

    Thanks,
    Mark

  • Matt - EditorEditor - Matt

    by Matt at 13:49 on 6 Aug 2009 | registered | 771 postsReport abuse

    Hi Mark,
    I suspect you're right. O2 threaten to disconnect anyone caught tethering their iPhone without paying, but so far as anybody is aware there is no way for them to know. For you it makes far more sense to make occasional use of your phone's data plan rather than paying extra for a separate dongle.


Like this? Please share it!

Like Broadband Genie?




 

Post a reply

Post a reply to this thread

 

 

Please describe your emotions in making this comment:


Powered by reCAPTCHA

Unless you are a verified user, comments will be moderated before they appear. Comments submitted entirely in capital letters, containing advertising or excessive swearing will be rejected; please try to be polite. The best comments are relevant, factual and balanced; think about all aspects of the package, such as speed, connection quality and customer service. We reserve the right to edit comments.