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Mobile Broadband for Laptop - Ask Our Expert
If you’re having technical, service or supply problems, or just have a question you want answering, why not write to OurExpert@BroadbandChoices.co.uk
Michael Phillips is product director at BroadbandChoices.co.uk and can help with anything from contractual problems, to giving technical advice or telling you how to speed up those slow movie downloads.
Our expert says...
The solution to this problem comes in two simple stages. Initially, you must make sure that the laptop you purchase for your son has an inbuilt wireless USB adapter, thus enabling the laptop to connect with a wireless network at home or at school. Make sure that you use a WEP / WPA encryption key though, as failure to do so may result in other people piggy-backing your connection or even interception of your personal details.
Secondly, if finances allow I recommend that you sign up for a mobile broadband package, allowing your son wireless internet access if coverage is available at Nan’s house! Be wary that this package suffers from low download limits (2GB) and limited broadband speeds (2.8Mb). It is, however, the cheapest in the current marketplace and should be more than adequate for a child to use for schoolwork. 3 Mobile (www.three.co.uk) offers both contract and non-contract ‘pay as you go’ options for this package from £10 per month.
Alternatively, you could sign Nan up to have a broadband connection installed in her house, but I understand the “hassle factor” of getting set-up might be too much for an elderly individual. Still, if Nan is keen to learn, then our beginner’s guide to understanding broadband is here to help.
Here is our comprehensive guide to using wireless broadband, everything you need from choosing the right package all the way through to wireless security.
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