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Mobile Solution For Surfing The Web Whilst Afloat - A 'Dongle'

CanalCuttings webmaster Graham and business partner Jean used a similar device on a GPRS Pay As You Go network with great results

Mobile Broadband from 3 is now available on a Pay As You Go basis. This means we can all enjoy high-speed internet access without monthly broadband bills, whilst touring the waters of rivers and canals in the UK. CanalCuttings have not personally tested the 3 network but have used similar USB wireless modems equipment abroad.

The pocket-sized USB wireless modems can now be topped up in exactly the same way as mobile phones. Just as PAYG phones have become the ‘mobile’ version of the phone-box, 3’s PAYG Mobile Broadband is set to do the same for the internet.

You can purchase mobile PAYG modems for a one-off payment of just £99.99, and then Top-up your credit online via www.three.co.uk/my3, over the phone or in any shop where the Top-Up logo is displayed. Top-ups can be converted to £10, £15 or £25 of broadband add-on offerings of 1GB, 3GB or 7GB downloads. And so long as the modem is still in credit, it’ll only cost £1 per MB if customers go out of their bundles.

This announcement comes hot off the heels of 3 extending its modem range. Limited edition pink and black versions of the USB modems are now available, in addition to a sleek rectangular black and green model.

3 has also partnered with ‘Skins4Things’ to create decorative stickers for mobile modems. Customers can pick any number of exclusive designs from www.threeskins.co.uk.

CanalCuttings webmaster Graham Beven used a similar Huawai E220 USB Modem device on a GPRS Pay As You Go AIS network whilst travelling in Thailand for 6 months in 2007 / 08 with great results. We think the 3 network bundles are a little on the expensive side for 'business' use, as you can get unlimited data service elsewhere for around the same price as the £25 / 7GB top-up, but for frequent light to medium personal use this seems to be a good option.