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Using Broadband Overseas

Our Broadband Expert says...

Hi Suzy, your options are:

(1) A broadband package that allows you free roaming access

(2) Also the ability to access the internet independently, with the onus on the internet coming to you rather than you searching for access

(3) Finally, you need a flexible and economical package that can be accessed in both the UK and Europe, which loses none of its UK benefits and functionality when used overseas.

There are two distinct paths you could take, Mobile Broadband or Freedom 4 Wi-Fi

Mobile Broadband

Mobile broadband is a relatively new phenomenon which allows internet access through a USB modem (that’s a ‘dongle’ to me and you) or USB stick. Once the dongle or stick is plugged into your laptop’s USB port, you’re ready to get online, wherever you may be.

Before we begin to evaluate the various mobile broadband products available on the market, allow me to furnish you with something of a friendly warning.

As you may expect, surfing and downloading abroad is an expensive business. Using heavy applications such as iPlayer or YouTube overseas can cost you an arm, a leg, possibly a vital organ and maybe even your soul in extra megs. Online gaming is a big no no too. Anything more than a bit of web browsing and light e-mailing is not appropriate for a mobile broadband package used abroad.

Here’s a quick rundown of the amount of bandwidth you would typically use downloading a number of common applications:

• 60 hours web surfing = 1.5GB

• 1 Music Album = 0.06GB

• 10 Min Video Clip on Youtube = 0.2GB

• Low definition movie = 0.75GB

• DVD quality movie = 4.5GB

• 10 hours of internet radio = 1.2GB

Vodafone

Vodafone (www.online.vodafone.co.uk) offer a 3GB dongle for £15 a month. The contract length is 24 months but the dongle is provided free of charge. The likelihood of receiving mobile broadband coverage in the Scottish Highlands is remote though, so check with Vodafone first.

Using your dongle in Spain will cost you an extra £5 per day with this package. The £5 charge allows you a 15Mb download limit. Once you go over this limit, you’ll be charged £5 for every subsequent Mb used. Like I said, keep your usage overseas in check or you’ll receive a nasty surprise come billing time.

Worth noting is VoIP services such as Skype and peer-to-peer software such as Instant Messenger are not included in this £5 per day charge, they’re charged separately at £5 per Mb with an instant 5p charge for simply opening them up.

Heed my mantra: e-mails and web browsing only.

3 Networks

Mobile broadband provider 3 (www.three.co.uk) is cheaper than Vodafone in the UK, with prices starting at £10 for a 1GB dongle. The contract spans a duration of 18 months. According to maps provided by 3, there’s a fair chance that you’ll be able to receive coverage in the Scottish Highlands.

Using this product overseas may be tricky though, as there is no coverage in Spain at present. The territories covered by 3 are Ireland, Austria, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Hong Kong and Australia.

3 still allow international data roaming in Spain, but you’ll be bumped onto another network and may receive a slow service as a result. You may also be denied a number of important functions. The cost of surfing in Spain is £3 per Mb.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile (www.t-mobile.co.uk) also offers a mobile broadband product, the Web ‘n’ Walk USB modem (they prefer not to use the word ‘dongle’). Costs begin at £15 a month for a 3GB USB modem on a 24 month contract.

However, opt for the Web ‘n’ Walk Max package (£35 a month on a 24 month contract), and you receive free wi-fi access in Starbucks, hotels and airports, which may be ideal for your travels.

This wi-fi hotspot package can also be gained for a charge of £10 a month extra on any existing deal.

Freedom 4

The alternative solution to your problem can be provided by Freedom 4 Wi-Fi (www.freedom4wifi.com).

Although requiring you to proactively seek out wi-fi hotspots, Freedom 4 covers over 40,000 hotspots globally, with many located in major outlets such as Café Nero and HMV. The Hilton and Thistle hotel chains are also covered.

The coverage in Spain includes most petrol station chains and a number of the larger hotels.

Prices range from an 8p per minute UK/25p per minute overseas rate, to a £9.99 pay monthly tariff. The monthly tariff allows you 2000 UK minutes, although overseas minutes are still charged at a cost of 25p per minute, and are not included in the £9.99 fee.

NB Best buy tables (orange background) are always current.

Examples in the text of the article (white background) are correct at time of publication.

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