Hi

Usually post on the Oz bit but spending a month or so in Spain later this year.

Any recommendations for buying a dongle to get mobile broadband on our laptop (a mac) whilst we are there.

Just need a PAYG USB stick that we can load as we go.

We will be staying in L'Escala (Costa Brava) and Moriara (Alicante) if that is significant.

Also anyone know about cheap local sim cards for phones and micro sims.

Is there a portable Europe wide version of either with reasonable charges at all? Someone said there was such a thing as a European sim that was OK for rates but no idea what that is.

I can google but the relevant sites are in Spanish and my language skills are not that great!

Wouldn't know about the Internet part but as for mobile phones I'd go with lebara mobile they are cheap and international they don't do micro chips but the fella I got mine off had the tool that cuts a normal sim card into a micro as I have an iPhone myself.

Hi and welcome to the Spain Forum

There have been several discussions in the last couple of months on this forum - they are still relevant

Davexf

Thanks both of you I will try and find the relevant threads to investigate further.

MrMKenna when you say international sim do you mean one that ca be used without high roaming charges throughout Europe.

Obviously my UK sim is international but it would cost a fortune to use it a lot overseas. I know I am recently back from Oz where I have a local sim but still get calls on my UK phone!

There are lots and lots of free wi fi spots around, many bars offer it. Sit back and have a coffee or a beer and do you internet stuff in comfort.

Something else to look at
http://freewifiwiki.net/index.php?title=Spain

Thanks we do this as well but we need to work and need a quieter environment. I know some people work from cafes but I can't concentrate properly! Too many distractions.

We want to work from our accommodation which will have no wi-fi/phone connection. And one place is out of town anyway.

Looks like the carrefour prepay might work out OK though. How much are the actual dongles themselves the site was a bit confusing TBH.

Hi rammygirl,

Dongles are usually between 25€ and 45€ when you buy prepay; frequently you buy the dongle and get five "free" days.

Davexf

Any phone shop will sell you a dongle for your laptop. If quality and reliability of the service is important, I would suggest you stick to one of the better known brands. I hate Carrefour, their after sales is poor, but each to their own.

Hi Missile,

A word of caution, Dongles are restricted in that a vodafone dongle will not accept a Carrefour sim - I know, I´ve tried it.

But unrestricted dongles are available on the internet

Davexf

I never shop in Carrefour and suggested OP would be best to buy a dongle (and sim) from a phone shop. When using for work, quality and reliability would be my priorities rather than saving a few euros.