isp

[LisaUK]

hi guys

sorry if this is a really frequently asked question but I need some advice and as we leave on Saturday and I have clothes all over the bed and suitcases all over the floor this is just one more thing that I don't have time to search for (other items include my daughters water wings, my sunglasses from last summer etc etc).

If I want to sign onto the internet when I get to Orlando, what is the best way to do this from the hotel room. DH has a new laptop which he wants to take and we want to send piccies back to my parents on xmas day. I have looked at pipex and netzero but they all seem to want a US address - how can I get around this/? are there any uk providers which will allow you to sign on internationally??? What is the best method to use.

please help.

thanks

Lisa

 

[Lobey]

Hi Lisa,

There are basically 3 ways you can access the Internet from abroad:

1) Make a call back to your UK ISP. This would obviously be expensive, as you'd have to pay international call rates. However, if you use a prepaid card - such as AT&T - you can keep the costs fairly reasonable if you don't stay online very long. But if you're going to be sending lots of large images then this solution could work out very expensive for you.

2) Sign up with an ISP that allows global roaming. The ISP will then give you a local telephone number you can use for dial-up. This method works out fairly cheap as many Orlando hotels provide free local calls. One ISP that provides this service is Pipex. You say that Pipex are looking for a US address, but I'd ask you to check again: Pipex are a UK company and I have used them for years.

3) Sign up with a US ISP such as NetZero.

I've tried methods 1 and 2 during my trips and I can advise you that method 2 is MUCH easier. Setting up the laptop to use the calling card is very awkward and I certainly won't be using that method again.

I've never tried method 3, but others have recommended it. However, I would have thought that US ISPs would have been looking for a local US address too...

Paul

 

[Penny12]

There is another way as well.

You can try these people - I don't know anything about them apart from what I've read on their website, but they are there specifically to offer world wide internet access. You buy credits from them which entitles you to log on to a local ISP where ever you may be.

 

[Lobey]

Thanks fo the link, Penny. I haven't heard of this crowd before but I've just paid a visit to their Web site and there product sounds very interesting.

I liked this quote from their site:

"In case studies for example in the USA for hotel use, the total charge for a one hour call including the cost of the local call and the credits for Internet access was $8.50 If this had been an International call, the total cost would easily have been $120-180. That's a saving of over 95%."


Paul

 

[LisaUK]

thanks for your help - think we will try net2roam as we dont want to sign up for a prolonged period - their 2 week service sounds great - will let you know how we got on when we get back in the new year.

happy xmas everyone.

Lisa

 

[LisaUK]

thought i'd just let you know that the net2roam connection works just fine. and it lets us use our existing ntl email address. I am sitting in my room at okw after having been to the mvmcp last night with the kids it was fantastic.

happy xmas everyone (i am feeling very seasonal after last night)

lisa

 

[WDWfan uk]

Oh Lisa ... you lucky lady !! Thank you for stopping by!

Continue to have a wonderful trip !!