[Nev75]

Hello All,

Since a number of Brits use this forum, one or more of you may be able to help me..

My boss (from Australia) is travelling to Europe ... mainly the UK .. in a few weeks time. He would like to get a prepaid 3G USB adaptor for his laptop when he lands there. Can anyone recommend something he can use? Are they available from airports over there? Otherwise where can he get them from? Do you recommend certain provider(s) over others?

He went to the UK a month ago and used his Australian 3G adaptor over there with International Roaming enabled, racking up $10,000 of Internet charges in 10 days! We've since been told getting a prepaid adaptor in the UK will be considerably cheaper!

Any help much appreciated..

Nev

[Lorian]

Vodafone is usually the best deal on offer, but offers vary from time to time.

http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband-devices/usb-modem-stick-topup-and-go?compatible=false&WT.mc_id=DGM-01-03-2007-D010&WT.mc_evt=click

You should be able to buy this and top-ups from most vodaphone shops when landed:

http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=Page_Help_StoreLocator&pageID=SL_0001

For other companies offers try searching for "broadband payg" at www.hotukdeals.com

Don't use a UK SIM in it anywhere else in europe, that will cost a lot.

Buying anything at an airport in the UK usually "costs double".

[Myowni30]

Vodafone is usually the best deal on offer, but offers vary from time to time.

Yes I use a Vodafone with my netbook and it works very well.

[Nev75]

Thank you Lorian for your help (and toMyowni30 for the confirmation).

Your response has been extremely helpful!!

I have recommended this to the boss.

I have one other question ... when using this USB device, I take it software needs to be installed on the PC? Is it full blown software, or just a driver?

(Here in Oz, Telstra makes you install their full blown proprietory crap to use the NextG stick).

[Lorian]

The vodafone connection application needs to be used for device drive and transport layer, but is pretty lightweight, takes only a minute or two to install, and is a pleasure to use, with no complex configuration required. Yoiu can use your normal email and browser, they are not part of the app.

I think on these newer usb devices the software actually comes on the USB device itself, and asks to be instaled first time you use it, rather than coming on a CD.

You should be able to download an install guide for the software here, and maybe even the software itself, to take a look (obviously it wont connect without the usb device, and from mny 1000Kms away!)

http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Portal/appmanager/vodafone/wrp?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=template11&pageID=BS_0036&tabIndex=2

<scroll to bottom of screen>

[Myowni30]

I think on these newer usb devices the software actually comes on the USB device itself, and asks to be installed first time you use it, rather than coming on a CD.

Yes, the Vodafone software comes on the USB stick.

First time you plug the USB stick in it asks you to installs the software. Once done then you just plug the stick in each time you want to use it and the utility opens for you to connect to the network. You can also check the balance left on the USB stick etc.

I use mine on a Samsung Netbook running Windows XP.

Just a note: I always close the utility then use the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the task bar each time I unplug it.

[Nev75]

Thanks once again guys,

Your help has been excellent

If my boss knew of this on his last trip, he would have spent $A90, instead of $A10,000 ..

[Lorian]

It catches out a lot of people over here too when they go on holiday or business trips.