Q. Re. Mobile internet.

I have looked into changing to using mobile internet as it probably will be faster than my normal
landline, which is >6Kms from the exchange.

According to this I can have unlimited data from £12:00 per month on a 24 month contract.

http://www.talkmobile.co.uk/paymonthly24smart.html

Am I missing something here?

I presume that using the 'phone as a modem is usually excluded, but how can the supplier know.

Don't know about the talkmobile package but...

Have you checked you have good coverage where you are?

As far as using a phone as a modem goes it is highly likely that they can tell by understanding the profile of what type of data goes across the connection. Mobiles tend to be fairly simple data requirements and wouldn't use things like P2P in general - understanding what is normal for a mobile and comparing to an individuals data usage could show where data is being used via a PC rather than a mobile.

I suspect they would also look at the amount of usage as well. If you use any more than about 500MB they would probably take much more interest in your connection to see if it is likely to be being used for PC connection.

I am sure there is likely something in the Ts&Cs but don't have the time to read them.

Generally speaking using a mobile as a modem will never be as good as using a dedicated USB dongle.

All major networks offer PAYG and contract data plans that will give much better connection than using a mobile.

I presume that there is a technical answer why a dongle is better than using a 'phone.

Also of course I am assuming that contract data plans using a dongle are more expensive.

Dongle has a full PC CPU driving it, the mobile is limited by the quality of its tethering abilities, i.e. ok for occassional use, but beyond that can be a pain. used to do it years ago via Bluetooth and gave up.

Thanks for all the advice.

Yes, it is to do with number of channels available for data. Mobiles have some channels for data and some for voice. USB dongles only need data channels.

Contracts for USB dongles range from abouy £10 to £25 per month.

Vodafone

3

T-Mobile

You need to look carefully about how much data each one allows.

You really need a 3g+ signal. A 3g signal may not be as good as your land line.

I have a good 3g signal, it can't be worse than my abysmal land line.

at 6km you 3g signal will not be very good at all, also when it get busy 3g gives access to the people nearest by kicking off the people furtherest away