I moved into rented accommodation recently. Previously I had Virgin Media and unlimited broadband. I have had a wake up call since then having obviously taken "unlimited" for granted. I hardly watch TV of an evening and tend to spend most of my time on my laptop spending about 4 hours on average per night on the internet reading email, social media and browsing etc. I don't download games or stream films.
I had purchased a new laptop because my Samsung tablet obviously didn't have a USB port and eagerly purchased a dongle on O2 on pay monthly when I moved thinking that was the way to go. I got really confused with how many GBs I needed. I cracked on an ordered a dongle anyway figuring whatever GB it was would be enough for my needs. Suddeny up pops a message from O2...I had got through 80% of my monthly allowance and would have to wait a month before it kicked in again and that was literally 10 days into the allowance. In the meantime I sought advice from the O2 shop and they recommended a PAYG with the maximum GB I could, which wasn't cheap. However, it was a good standby whilst waiting for my allowance to come back.
That was all fine and dandy but I had quite got used to my Samsung tablet previously which I could comfortably use on the sofa. The big laptop doesn't quite cut it as I end up sitting at the dinner table as its so unwieldly, but as I am at a desk all day on a PC don't necessarily want to spend my evenings like that too! Problem now is I don't have a USB drive for the dongle so what do I do?
Having Googled this I saw something about smartphone tethering so you can use the wireless capabilities of your phone but again, will I get the same message about using my data allowance as I do with the dongle? Its a dilemma. Apologies for the overlong post but I thought if I give as much info as possible about what I want, someone could come up with a solution that is both economic and ideal for my circumstances. I can't afford to keep purchasing PAYG SIMs at £58 a pop!!
I noticed someone the other day had what looked like a non USB wireless dongle(?), a square shaped gadget looking like a large dongle without any wires which looks like a possible solution. However, O2 don't appear to have one of these. I am now also tied into a contract taken out recently (although would be happy to pay any reasonable penalty for coming out of it if I find the ideal solution.
(P.S. I don't want to get Sky or Virgin Media as I am only going to be in rented for about 8 months and most contracts are over a year. I also have to get landlords permission etc.)
Sandie
