Cell Phones in Great Britain - Help, please, with email on the move.

Author

Help, please, with email on the move.

DavidF

2007-11-28, 7:33 am

I am retired. I have VERY OCCASIONAL use for mobile phone, but I like
to see my emails, and other web material, daily when away/abroad. I
edit a local village magazine, and sometimes the emails have
attachments in Word of 200 to 800 words. Internet cafes are not always
available, but hotels etc increasingly offer (often free) WiFi
hotspots. I am therefore considering getting a hand held computer (eg
Palm ONE TX) with built in WiFi, which would cost one-off under =A3200.
However, I am also considering a mobile phone option, such as Nokia
E61 on E3 network pay as you go or small (=A315) monthly contract, or
perhaps on Vodaphone which is a bit dearer (=A320 per month) but may
give better coverage. These contracts include a small amount of air
time.

The two main advantages of this would be (1) ready access to emails
when WiFi hotspot not available and (2) no need to carry two devices
(Palm plus phone) around me. The disadvantage must be the contract
cost; my present phone is on a Virgin network and costs me only the
price of calls which is some =A31 or =A32 per month (I told you I hardly
use it!). As retired pensioner, I am not pleading particular poverty
but I DO have to pay all expenses out of my own pocket.

Can anyone give me info to help me decide on whether the extra is
worthwhile? My main unknown is the time required (and therefore cost
invloved) in downloading emails etc., as I understand that this can be
quite slow and expensive on mobile networks. Another unknown is how
readily available free or low-cost WiFi networks are.

Thanks and regards,

David

John Blessing

2007-11-28, 7:33 am

Hi David

I use the Nokia N95 and find it v. useable for reading email and also has a
built-in Office documents reader.

You really need an unlimited data plan for this sort of phone, and Tmobiles
WebnWalk is IMO the best. The phone also has wifi and free hotspots are
increasing in number. (e.g. I believe that McDonalds will be offering free
wifi in all its outlets soon.)

If you plan on being away one thing you have to be aware of is that data is
even more expensive when roaming. Also, some networks charge in min data
increments. Tmobile (i have been assured) charge per kb. But on Vodafone the
min increment is 100kb. So, you could download a v. short email and still be
charged nearly a quid. Running up a v. large roaming data bill from
vodafone was the reason I jumped to Tmobile.

Of course, you could also try to find free wifi hotspots when abroad.

There is no cheap, simple, convenient solution I'm afraid.

--
John Blessing

"DavidF" <david_p_f2001@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:f8d76d1e-7859-497b-8ea1- 3b72fcee64e3@a39g200
0pre.googlegroups.com...
I am retired. I have VERY OCCASIONAL use for mobile phone, but I like
to see my emails, and other web material, daily when away/abroad. I
edit a local village magazine, and sometimes the emails have
attachments in Word of 200 to 800 words. Internet cafes are not always
available, but hotels etc increasingly offer (often free) WiFi
hotspots. I am therefore considering getting a hand held computer (eg
Palm ONE TX) with built in WiFi, which would cost one-off under £200.
However, I am also considering a mobile phone option, such as Nokia
E61 on E3 network pay as you go or small (£15) monthly contract, or
perhaps on Vodaphone which is a bit dearer (£20 per month) but may
give better coverage. These contracts include a small amount of air
time.

The two main advantages of this would be (1) ready access to emails
when WiFi hotspot not available and (2) no need to carry two devices
(Palm plus phone) around me. The disadvantage must be the contract
cost; my present phone is on a Virgin network and costs me only the
price of calls which is some £1 or £2 per month (I told you I hardly
use it!). As retired pensioner, I am not pleading particular poverty
but I DO have to pay all expenses out of my own pocket.

Can anyone give me info to help me decide on whether the extra is
worthwhile? My main unknown is the time required (and therefore cost
invloved) in downloading emails etc., as I understand that this can be
quite slow and expensive on mobile networks. Another unknown is how
readily available free or low-cost WiFi networks are.

Thanks and regards,

David

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