Cheapest way of getting data only access

[Guest Dr Who]

I currently have a Vario II on Tmob and I am getting towards upgrade time. One upgrade path I am toying with is getting a new non-PDA phone and then using my Vario II as a non-phone PDA, but I would want it to have data access to use for emails and web browsing, Orb media streaming, playing with. Assuming I upgrade my Vario II with TMob and use my W&W tariff in my new phone what are my options for adding data only to my Vario II? I am sure TMob used to do a PAYG SIM that you could add W&W to for about £7.50, but I can't see it now. My data use will be daily and on-peak and I don't really want to spend £30 on the TMob data only tariff, when I could just get the cheapest Flext+W&W for about the same cost, given that my usage will only be for the handset, not as a modem. Any ideas appreciated.

EDIT - It would appear that three do a PAYG SIM with £5/month internet access.

http://www.three.co.uk/personal/price_plan...u_go_/may_1.omp

Edited September 25, 2007 by Dr Who

[Guest M1TNT]

I currently have a Vario II on Tmob and I am getting towards upgrade time. One upgrade path I am toying with is getting a new non-PDA phone and then using my Vario II as a non-phone PDA, but I would want it to have data access to use for emails and web browsing, Orb media streaming, playing with. Assuming I upgrade my Vario II with TMob and use my W&W tariff in my new phone what are my options for adding data only to my Vario II? I am sure TMob used to do a PAYG SIM that you could add W&W to for about £7.50, but I can't see it now. My data use will be daily and on-peak and I don't really want to spend £30 on the TMob data only tariff, when I could just get the cheapest Flext+W&W for about the same cost, given that my usage will only be for the handset, not as a modem. Any ideas appreciated.

EDIT - It would appear that three do a PAYG SIM with £5/month internet access.

http://www.three.co.uk/personal/price_plan...u_go_/may_1.omp

Dr - if your going to have to pay the extra £5 on the data would it not be better to go for a contract and get one of them USB modems with a sim in it - take the sim out to put in your Vario and your a-and-away.

3 do a mobile broadband - http://www.three.co.uk/personal/products_s...band_/index.omp £10 a month for a gig of of data with out having to pay a £10 top up fee as well.

this looks like a better option in my eye's.

Not sure if you can get this deal with out the USB modem.

[Guest Stuart_f]

Dr - if your going to have to pay the extra £5 on the data would it not be better to go for a contract and get one of them USB modems with a sim in it - take the sim out to put in your Vario and your a-and-away.

3 do a mobile broadband - http://www.three.co.uk/personal/products_s...band_/index.omp £10 a month for a gig of of data with out having to pay a £10 top up fee as well.

this looks like a better option in my eye's.

Not sure if you can get this deal with out the USB modem.

The 24 month contract is putting me off this option. Who knows what data prices will be in 6 months never mind being tied in for 2 years.

[Guest Dr Who]

Dr - if your going to have to pay the extra £5 on the data would it not be better to go for a contract and get one of them USB modems with a sim in it - take the sim out to put in your Vario and your a-and-away.

3 do a mobile broadband - http://www.three.co.uk/personal/products_s...band_/index.omp £10 a month for a gig of of data with out having to pay a £10 top up fee as well.

this looks like a better option in my eye's.

Not sure if you can get this deal with out the USB modem.

I did think of that option but wasn't 100% that the SIM was removable, or at least not locked to the modem. Good sense tells me it wouldn't be but it was a concern. Didn't see the 24 month contract requirement though! Have sworn that I will never take out more than a 12 month contract again! They do mention that 'mobile broadband' will be available on PAYG at some point. Just wondering whether having got used to HSDPA I will find 3G painful?

[Guest M1TNT]

I did think of that option but wasn't 100% that the SIM was removable, or at least not locked to the modem. Good sense tells me it wouldn't be but it was a concern. Didn't see the 24 month contract requirement though! Have sworn that I will never take out more than a 12 month contract again! They do mention that 'mobile broadband' will be available on PAYG at some point. Just wondering whether having got used to HSDPA I will find 3G painful?

I have just looked on the Three website - if you look at there price plans it does list a 12 month mobile broadband tariff for £10 a month - http://threestore.three.co.uk/planoffers.aspx?tariffid=683 but you have to pay £100 for the modem.

So if you can get the sim then your singing !

Think you need to phone them up to ask them for a sim only option - dont see any reason why they cant give you a sim only option.

[Guest Dr Who]

Cheers M1TNT, good spot. It looks like Three will be the way to go come upgrade time, if I choose not to get a Vario III or other PPC. Vario III would win hands down if it had a VGA screen but sadly the upgrade on my existing Vario II seems a bit incremental.

[Guest mcwarre]

The three modems were like rocking horse sh1t up till a week ago. Also, might be tempting but signal issues is a reality unless in a city centre (like all 3G really).

BTW don't get a Vario III - I am considering going back to my K-Jam