Mobile MiFi or tethering advice please

E

Ewazix

Lifer
 Somerset
I know there are a few tech types on here so I thought I'd run this one bye for a bit of advice please,

The daughter is off to Uni but there is no WiFi in the accommodation, only cabled Uni network. They can't use a WiFi router on the network but it would be handy if there was WiFi for a Vaio laptop and iPhone 4 (unlocked but on an O2 monthly SIM package) . There is good 3g coverage so someone mentioned setting up a MiFi. Anyone got any thoughts on this, does it work? will it rack up huge bills? are O2 any good for MiFI or are there better options? I keep reading about tethering but assume that WOULD be expensive.

Any advice appreciated, Cheers :)
 
I tried setting up O2 tethering whilst waiting for Virgin Media at my new flat. Failed :headbang:

Tricky, but an O2 guru could set it up easy. It's about £10 per 1GB which isn't too bad for browsing. Downloading music etc would be off the cards though


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You could go for something like 3 - for the one plan it's about 26 a month and has truly unlimited data along with a few thousand minutes/texts and they allow teathering etc... It's sim only tho don't know what the deals with handsets are like :)

Edit: just thought I'd add that I use 3 for my in car music all streamed from spotify / aupeo :)
 
Just to clarify, a Wireless Access Point is not a router. It just enables wireless connectivity onto the network. If you hide the SSID and set up decent security your daughter will be the only one able to use it. Linky to something that would do the job.
 
Thanks guys I'll look at these ideas, just to clarify I understand that any device (including PC's) connected to the Uni's network has to be registered and granted access before it will connect. I'll have a look at all the options including sneaky SSID hiding and see what I can sort for the little darling - can't have a student without WiFi
"get real Dad" :roll:
 
Im in a villa in Spain that only has cabled Internet.
I've plugged a laptop into that and set up an adhoc network. My families iPhones, iPad and business laptop are all running on that.

Could you replicate something like that?
 
Using your Iphone 4 as a MIFI device is possible and easy to do - its in settings - and your daughter's laptop will work well with it. Do set up a password, you dont want it to be open access.

O2 are good for tethering (dont look that phrase up on urban dictionary..)

you do need a contract that specifically allows you to download data to your laptop via your iphone, if you dont, you could end up with £10 - !5 per day that you do it and data costs.

I have seen 10 - 12 laptops operating at the same time online using a single iphone with an unlimited data package and i regulary do it myself
 
O2 used to sell a MiFi device but they don't any more. I recently figured out that's because they don;t charge for tethering on an iPhone and its always been free on Android devices.

Also check out some software called "connectify". It won't make the laptop wireless, but the laptop can at least serve her phone or other laptops.
 
I would see if anyone has a network close by, knock on their door, ask them if they will take £20 a month to join their secure network.....
 
Sounds like the thing to do is to register a laptop with the university then once its enabled, use a router as a wireless access point. My guess would be that the MAC ID of the device is used to restrict access to registered devices only. Most half decent routers will allow you to specify a MAC address to get round this sort of restriction.

Also, set the router SSID to something that wouldn't identify the source and turn off the SSID broadcast - you never know who is looking. Turning down the broadcast power of the router may help too.
 
Robbeh said:
You could go for something like 3 - for the one plan it's about 26 a month and has truly unlimited data along with a few thousand minutes/texts and they allow teathering etc... It's sim only tho don't know what the deals with handsets are like :)

Edit: just thought I'd add that I use 3 for my in car music all streamed from spotify / aupeo :)
Click to expand...

I have this style of 3 contract on my iPhone 4S which as Robbeh mentions supports unlimited data and tethering. I use this as my personal access point to content my iPad and laptop when I'm not at home or in the office and it works really well.

You would be better off tapping into the University LAN though through one of the ways suggested.
 
gadgetJunky72 said:
O2 used to sell a MiFi device but they don't any more. I recently figured out that's because they don;t charge for tethering on an iPhone and its always been free on Android devices.

Also check out some software called "connectify". It won't make the laptop wireless, but the laptop can at least serve her phone or other laptops.
Click to expand...

Thank you GadgetJunky, I thought I'd try the Connectify download not expecting too much, but it works fine - very simple and worked first time, thanks :thumbsup:
 
just tried connect onto the web via my phone, i can connect to the phone but i don't get onto the internet

i have a galaxy s2 on orange
 
Have a unlocked MiFi and use various sims.... An unlocked MiFi will cost around £80-£90. Use different Sims dependent on the area, 3 is pretty good in cities, T-mobile good in most locations, as is Vodafone.


Tapatalking...
 
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