Is Internet access feasible with a prepay phone?

[OwlHoot]

I just ordered my HTC Desire HD, but am a bit worried I'll simply use it as a phone and completely ignore all the gizmos, as I always have done with mobile phones (apart from maybe the camera).

Given that I only do prepaid, and will definitely not consider a contract, are there any deals where it is feasible to access the Internet occasionally and send emails? Or would that still burn through credit like a 5-litre Ford Thunderbird doing 90 in 2nd gear gets through petrol.

Another reason for wanting to get more savvy with mobile Internet access, and shaking off my luddite attitude to mobile phones, is that contracts in my line will no doubt soon start expecting to see this on CVs!

[NotReallyButSeriously]

I just ordered my HTC Desire HD, but am a bit worried I'll simply use it as a phone and completely ignore all the gizmos, as I always have done with mobile phones (apart from maybe the camera).

Given that I only do prepaid, and will definitely not consider a contract, are there any deals where it is feasible to access the Internet occasionally and send emails? Or would that still burn through credit like a 5-litre Ford Thunderbird doing 90 in 2nd gear gets through petrol.

Another reason for wanting to get more savvy with mobile Internet access, and shaking off my luddite attitude to mobile phones, is that contracts in my line will no doubt soon start expecting to see this on CVs!

I think it really depends on the network reception in the area you live. I know here in South London the best for 3G reception is o2 and Orange. You can buy bolt-ons for o2 and I'm pretty sure there is a data one that gives you a certain amount of data for £5 credit.

If you don't get any special deals, try call up your network and see if they can sort anything out for you, most are willing if you can use some charm. Otherwise you will absolutely murder your credit, £1 for 1MB etc.

[doodab]

You could also look at one of the monthly sim-only deals.

[Coalman]

I have a pay as you go deal with Orange. If I top up by £10 per month I get free internet up to 500MB. As I don't make a lot of calls on the phone this deal works out great for me. I only top up about 10 times a year and let the credit run down a bit (i.e. pay for my internet) when its built up a lot.

I've just bought a Google Nexus S SIM free and probably going to use much more internet until I stop playing with it!

[norrahe]

You could also look at one of the monthly sim-only deals.

Monthly sim only is a good deal, I have this with 3 mobile and like yourself only use the t'internet and t'e-mail on the phone. Costs about £15ish.

[VectraMan]

I have T-Mobile PAYG. 3G Internet costs me £1 for any 24 hour period where I use it, or you can get 5 days running for £2.50.

Which aint bad, and I don't use it very often, but it's nice to have.

[OwlHoot]

I have T-Mobile PAYG. 3G Internet costs me £1 for any 24 hour period where I use it, or you can get 5 days running for £2.50.

Which aint bad, and I don't use it very often, but it's nice to have.

So the second option is £15 per month, on average. Hmm, you're right, that's not bad at all, as long as the fair usage policy is realistic (and you can't inadvertently wrap over into subsequent "days" within a day's charging period - That's just the kind of sneaky trick some ISPs would pull!)

But when taking payment from your credit balance, how does it know which tariff you are on? Or is that something you arrange with them up front?

Think I'll give T-Mobile a ring.

[Pondlife]

Another reason for wanting to get more savvy with mobile Internet access, and shaking off my luddite attitude to mobile phones, is that contracts in my line will no doubt soon start expecting to see this on CVs!

I know this is offtopic and basically trolling outside of General but...

Why would future clients want to know you can use the internet on your phone?

[VectraMan]

But when taking payment from your credit balance, how does it know which tariff you are on? Or is that something you arrange with them up front?

You send a text to activate the 5 days for £2.50.

Just had a look at the website, and it's got better: £5 for a month, or £20 for 6 months:

Pay as you go Boosters

I probably should have paid more attention.

[OwlHoot]

I know this is offtopic and basically trolling outside of General but...

Why would future clients want to know you can use the internet on your phone?

I do web(bish) development. So they might want to know that includes mobile web pages (which currently it doesn't), or at least be clued up on the differences.

Unless all that is pretty much transparent to the server, and the web client takes care of it (but then I wouldn't know that).