Mobile broadband for old person

[ctdctd]

Has the care home not got internet he can use?

No - they are part of a group so have corporate internet but it's not available to the inmates.

There are 40+ oldies there and none are online.

Ta for the comments re the MiFi

[Spacecadet]

If it's left on a charger, will the MiFi stay on?

yes

Once the laptop is connected once, does it automatically reconnect after reboots like a normal WiFi?

As long as your laptop (or other device) is configures to automatically connect, then yes, it will connect automatically just like it was a normal wifi router.

I need a solution that I can set up and leave working.

They are good but not quite as carefree as a regular broadband router.

Has the care home not got internet he can use?

[ctdctd]

Hm......

I'm thinking about one of these 3G routers:-
Netgear Mbrn3000

and one of the 3 USB dongles plugged into the router.

That gets WiFi out of the support loop as the laptop and the TV can be connected to the router via Cat5.

[ctdctd]

Thanks Spacecadet.

If it's left on a charger, will the MiFi stay on?

Once the laptop is connected once, does it automatically reconnect after reboots like a normal WiFi?

I need a solution that I can set up and leave working.

Not too worried about data allowance - I suspect streaming video usage will be minimal.

[Spacecadet]

It will need to be always plugged in or else it will go flat after 2-3 hours of use
It will need resetting occasionally and the power button is a bit on the fiddly side
If he's watching TV shows with it then he'll probably burn through the bandwidth allowance in 2 weeks
Although the overall speed is good pings can be a bit slow and the ping time can vary massively.

[ctdctd]

My elderly Uncle is about to move to a new care home where BT Broadband is not available.
He currently has cable broadband.

He uses the Internet on a laptop and his smart TV on his "good" days with his one functioning hand.
On bad days, he does not know what a laptop is:-(

I do his remote IT support via TeamViewer.

The new care home has a good signal with 3.

I'm thinking of getting either a 3 MiFi dongle to use with the laptop or a 3 USB dongle and a router to use with the laptop + TV.

The most important thing is a connection that is always on - he won't cope with having to do anything extra to get online and I need access without having to talk him through connection.
Second most important is up-time - he can't move and it's a real pain getting care workers to reboot IT kit!

Anyone using one of these gizmos got any suggestions as to specific models to get / avoid?
Will the always on bit work?

Ta