Porky Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 We are off in November to France, Spain and Portugal. I have done a search for "internet in europe" and "internet abroad" but no results available. I was interested in this post on another thread derek500 - 2009-09-21 8:14 AM I unlocked my '3' dongle using software I Googled for. In the UK I use a '3' PAYG SIM, here in Spain I use a Simyo sim (very good 1.16€ per day for up to 100mb about 30€ for a month unlimited - speed reduced after 5gb). When in Germany I bought an Aldi PAYG sim and used it in the same dongle. Looking for similar in France, where I can just by a PAYG sim without the dongle. Does anyone else have any experience of buying and using dongles in europe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly58 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 We always manage to get free wi-fi at Macdonalds or sometimes at tourist imformation offices as we do not need to be online every day . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 we don't bother with dongles. can usually get WI=Fi, may have to pay, but often free. If you are going to Portugal, it is very, very easy, as the Govenment are trying to give free acces to the whole country. Most of the sites in the the Orbitur group have free access, sometimes you may have to sit outside or inside the cafe, sometimes available all over the site. we found that the Acsi sites were good, take a camping guide for Spain, as the sites are sometimes few and far between, and The police may move you on if you wild camp, we had a great ten weeks there this year, can't wait to get back next year P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I've done a trawl on the internet as the search facility isn't working and found these 2 posts: http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=17230&posts=15 http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=12010&posts=6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doonhamer Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 In France MacDonalds provide free wi-fi. You don't need to eat, thank god, as you can normally get the signal in your van if you park within about 50m of the front of the 'restaurant'. This is easier when the outlet is shares a car park with a hypermarket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berti Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 hi porky we are in italy at the moment got wifi at mcdonalds in biesca instantly..just sat outside and logged on but every one we have tried since has required a password we asked the staff and were told that we need an italian mobile number BY LAW to gain access! in france at mcdonalds you just log on and bingo..away you go..unlimited time in portugal last winter at mcdonalds they give you the password which works at any branch ..again unlimited time..and the coffees in portugal come in a china cup and are delicious !! also most towns have public access points which are free in spain last winter the system was slightly different in that when you purchased something and asked for wifi you were given a card with a code number and you got free access for 30 mins in practice the staff gave you a couple of cards for each drink so you could get 2 hours for the price of 2 coffees... a BIG smile and thank you very much usually produces access to a plug point it's pronounced wiffy in france and portugal most times we were unable to get close enough to get a signal in the van ..but if it's busy you can just sit outside and no-one notices you are online...i don't think the staff are too bothered anyway, as they are only paid peanuts happy travels cheers berti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 in france and portugal most times we were unable to get close enough to get a signal in the van .. I took our TV aerial off the TTR pole and mounted a long range wi-fi antenna in its place. Works brilliantly. I've picked up 'free' wi-fi from access points up to 5km away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
berti Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 hi derek that sounds a good idea..can you post some details of where to buy the item , cost, installation etc cheers berti Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 berti - 2009-09-24 12:16 PM hi derek that sounds a good idea..can you post some details of where to buy the item , cost, installation etc cheers berti Like this one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Set-Panel-19dBi-5m-USB-Alfa-Adapter-500mW-WiFi-WLAN_W0QQitemZ280400048883QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Computing_Networking_SM?hash=item41492532f3&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_2373wt_1013 Attach the antenna to the TV aerial pole. Run the cable through the pole into the MH. Attach the cable to the wifi adaptor and the adaptor to your laptop with the USB cable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
handyman Posted September 24, 2009 Share Posted September 24, 2009 derek500 - 2009-09-24 9:59 AM Works brilliantly. I've picked up 'free' wi-fi from access points up to 5km away. Just to remind everyone that its illegal to connect to a wifi connection you have no permission to use (in the uk anyway, dont know about other countrys)..........just google 'stealing wifi' for loads on it. Of course, I'm not saying you (derek500) needed any permission to access these signals, as they would have been public access ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porky Posted September 25, 2009 Author Share Posted September 25, 2009 derek500 - 2009-09-24 9:59 AM in france and portugal most times we were unable to get close enough to get a signal in the van .. I took our TV aerial off the TTR pole and mounted a long range wi-fi antenna in its place. Works brilliantly. I've picked up 'free' wi-fi from access points up to 5km away. Thanks Derek. We use BT broadband in the UK and get 350 free wi fi minutes anywhere. I have joined BTfon and I can see that there are quite a few hotspots in Europe so I will look into this. Roy Fuller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Porky Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 derek500 - 2009-09-24 9:59 AM in france and portugal most times we were unable to get close enough to get a signal in the van .. I took our TV aerial off the TTR pole and mounted a long range wi-fi antenna in its place. Works brilliantly. I've picked up 'free' wi-fi from access points up to 5km away. I have now purchased an ariel antenna with adaptor and tried it out in the car in various places. It works well and amongst a load of password protected sites are some free sites. Now together with Skype we will be able keep in touch with people and access the internet free on our travels. Even the small plug in ariel which came with the kit is a big improvement on the laptops antenna. So thanks Derek that was very helpful information just what this forum is for. Roy Fuller Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek500 Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Porky - 2009-09-30 11:21 AMSo thanks Derek that was very helpful information just what this forum is for. No problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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