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Is it possible to connect my laptop to the internet while out and about in the campervan?  I am not interested in mobile phone internet - I want the full screen and full service.

Can you use a mobile phone to connect or is this too expensive?  I have 50 minutes a day with my contract, can I use this?

Can you use a satelite dish, digital box thing or Sky?

I know some campsites offer a connection point but I want my own.

Am I asking too much?  It must be possible but maybe it's too expensive.

Many thanks for any replies - Jane.

I'm sure I read about area's of the country that had this internet connection that you bought a card for (like a payment card) and you can connect so long as you are within a certain area....probably with some sort of wireless connection. However, not sure how widespread this is yet...and you'd obviously have to go to those specific areas.

I'm pretty sure you can get internet through your mobile phone, mine does it but never really tried, something to do with bluetooth and the connections being open.....

I'm sure someone will come along with a sensible answer soon!

Deb

Hi there

The most common form of internet whilst on the move, and out in the countryside, is witht he use of a mobile phone. 

Most common connection is via the infrared port of a mobile to the infra red port of the Laptop.

Unfortunately the mobile companies then charge you on a per minute basis for the "Data" connection.  This is a different type of connection to the normal "voice" connection, hence is not included in your contracted minutes each month.

Not too sure but I do think that the data fee per minute is less than the voice fee.

Depending upon your mobile you are likely to get 9,600 bps or 14,400 bps.  This compares with between 33,600 and 56,400 achievable on a landline at home.

This speed is fine for general surfing, as long as you are not looking to upload/download images, movies and sound.

Some of the more modern mobiles can transmit at about 40,000 bps, but you tend to have to pay more for this type of phone, and be connected to a high speed data service with the mobile phone company.

It is also possible to attach mobiles with bluetooth technology.  This is perhaps better when trying to attach the mobile to a standard desktop PC, as most desktop PC's don't have infr red ports.

Hope this gives you an idea of what is possible.

Good Luck

Maurice

Hey Marice, you know your stuff!  Thanks for that as well Deb.

I think what I really want is like we have at work - internet via a satelite dish on the side of the building, works like cable/broadband.  Satelite dishes seen on campsites next to very smart outfits, are they more likely to be for television?  Or satelite dishes on top of caravans, television or internet?

I think a slow mobile phone connection high in cost would just end up being too fustrating.

Thanks, Jane.

Hi Jane

You can get internet access via a satellite dish, but this isn't really an affordable option for most people.

A rough cost for Satellite internet access is £65/month for a 128 kbps connection, but does not include the satellite equipment itslef, or if you sign up for a 256 kbps (similar to the cheaper broadband packages) connection for 12 months then the cost is a mere £167/month (£2,000 per year).

I think that most of the satellites that you see on camp sites will be for satellite TV.  As long as you have a signal strength meter, to help you locate the satellite, or you are very lucky then satellite TV oin a campsite is pretty easy.  You might like to take a look at this web site for the equipment http://www.satcure.co.uk/accs/page17.htm.  Have a look at the other bits and pieces.  I have dealt with this company and have found them to be exceedingly helpful, quick deliveries, reliable and at a reasonable cost.

If you are mainly after the internet for e-mail then I believe that some companies can provide e-mail via the Sky digibox.  Demon internet advertise this on their website http://www.demon.net/aboutus/pressroom/2001/pr017.html.  Afraid I haven't tried it so am not sure how good it is.

I think that your best option is probably still the mobile phone and laptop.  I have used this method a couple of times, including 3 miles off the south coast whilst on a diving trip, where I was able to access the internet, check out the cinema times, check out the film reviews and book the tickets.  Just in case anyone was wondering, No I didn't take the laptop or phone down with me whilst diving. 

The cost, with Orange, used to be about 10p/minute for data, but they are no longer accepting new subscribers to the old data access services.  They are however offering 3G data access (much quicker) which they are offering at a cost per Mb of downloaded data, rather than per minute, starting from £2.35/Mb.  The costs per MB reduce, but only if you sign up to a contract, Contracts start at  £11.75/month - including 7Mb of data.  Orange estimate that each 1 Mb is approx. 20 Web pages.

Hope this helps.

Regards

Maurice

I would suggest there are only 2 options for being able to sit in your caravan and access the Internet. 

1.  Via a mobile phone, using it as a modem.

2.  If the site happens to have a wireless internet point and your laptop can connect wirelessly.

Check this  link out for  WiFi internet  access.

http://www.wifinder.com/

Best  listing.

Ade

Thank you so much, the above from everyone is great!

It looks too expensive for me, but I will follow up the threads above just in case.

Gram - we at work are way off the beaten track and we have no broadband or cable options.  But we do get a similar service from a satelite dish (some government grant helped with the costs) and there is no telephone line involved, it all comes through the dish.

I suppose this is what I was dreaming of but the budget is small - roll on that lottery win!

To the best of my (limited knowledge) without purchasing a rather expensive additional item there is no way you can create an uplink to use your satellite dish to connect to the internet.unless someone nows different of course.

On occasions I've used my mobile to connect my laptop but this proves to be rather slow and quite costly.

Craven

Hi, try calling in to your local vodafone shop - they offered me near broadband speeds through a dedicated plug-in card at various monthly prices (card price varies according to which price plan you go with) but they were in the region £20-£80/month. It's part of the 3G system and doesn't cover all the uk yet but they seem to be getting there!

Hope that helps

chocca 

You can get a Vodaphone Mobile Connect Card, which is a PCMCIA card for a laptop.  It provides an internet service without needing a phone line but using GPRS.

Not sure about costs but I think you need to set up an account with them.  Orange also provide the same sort of service but it tends to be targetted at companies.

Quote: Originally posted by dukedog on 27/05/2005

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If you can't manage without your daily fix of the web then why not use an Internet cafe?

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Most towns have 'Learning Shops' run by local colleges or local authorities (all to do with the so-called 'Lifelong Learning' promise by the government).  For a small fee, you can spend half an hour or so on the Internet.  We usually pick up emails and check bank balances a few times during the holiday.  We always clear the cache and cookies after - just in case.

 

Quote: Originally posted by dukedog on 27/05/2005

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Ask your self is mobile internet REALLY nesscessary? Reading the threads on this subject I think it's way too expensive for what it is.
Surely when on holiday you want to get away from all that?
If you can't manage without your daily fix of the web then why not use an Internet cafe?
Happy Camping
Frank & Kathy

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No it's not really necessary, but like much more in todays society it's a convenience supposedly there to make life easier for us. If we were away for one or maybe two weeks I personally would make do without it, however, if like us your away for anything upto 3 months at a time keeping a check on bank balances as well as keeping in touch with family friends are needed.