Internet in rural Belgium...
December 30, 2010 8:20 AM Subscribe
What is the best option for mobile internet in Belgium for one month?
I will be living in Belgium for a month, starting at the end of January. There will be no internet where I will be living, and no nearby internet cafes or wireless, so I need to sort out some way of being able to use the internet for that time - it's really going to be essential for my work, but also to keep in contact with people back home.
The catch is that the place I am going to is really remote, so there will not be any opportunity for me to buy anything when I am over there. I can't even stop off in a city on my way there, as my travel schedule is very tight. Therefore I need something that I can buy online and have shipped to me (in the UK) before I go. My French is reasonable, so I can probably manage buying from a site that's not in English, but I'd rather not speak to anyone on the phone if it can be avoided!
Does anyone have any recommendations? Which are the main mobile internet providers in Belgium, and with which can I sort it all out before I leave? I have had a look but got a bit baffled - I'm not very tech-savvy and my French isn't brilliant! I don't know if I will need unlimited bandwith or not - I will not be downloading music or anything like that, but I will probably Skype quite a bit. Basically I want to be able to use the internet, for a month, as cheaply as possible.
I have seen this question, but this asker wanted to be able to use the internet in multiple European countries, so I think my request is a bit different. Thank you!
I will be living in Belgium for a month, starting at the end of January. There will be no internet where I will be living, and no nearby internet cafes or wireless, so I need to sort out some way of being able to use the internet for that time - it's really going to be essential for my work, but also to keep in contact with people back home.
The catch is that the place I am going to is really remote, so there will not be any opportunity for me to buy anything when I am over there. I can't even stop off in a city on my way there, as my travel schedule is very tight. Therefore I need something that I can buy online and have shipped to me (in the UK) before I go. My French is reasonable, so I can probably manage buying from a site that's not in English, but I'd rather not speak to anyone on the phone if it can be avoided!
Does anyone have any recommendations? Which are the main mobile internet providers in Belgium, and with which can I sort it all out before I leave? I have had a look but got a bit baffled - I'm not very tech-savvy and my French isn't brilliant! I don't know if I will need unlimited bandwith or not - I will not be downloading music or anything like that, but I will probably Skype quite a bit. Basically I want to be able to use the internet, for a month, as cheaply as possible.
I have seen this question, but this asker wanted to be able to use the internet in multiple European countries, so I think my request is a bit different. Thank you!
Response by poster: Thanks for your answer. I will be in Bastogne, if it affects future responses!
posted by schmoo at 9:40 AM on December 30, 2010
posted by schmoo at 9:40 AM on December 30, 2010
Wow! Just yesterday we put down a deposit on a vacation house in Bruges for a week and a half in March and then noticed that the ad didn't mention internet. I was already mentally formulating the question I was going to post about rectifying this dire situation, but first we e-mailed the owner of the house and were told that Internet Everywhere (mobile broadband via a USB dongle) is available for our use. So I think that will definitely be your best bet.
posted by eunoia at 10:00 AM on December 30, 2010
posted by eunoia at 10:00 AM on December 30, 2010
Also, coverage in Bastogne, (Mobistar || Proximus), seems to be pretty good.
posted by eunoia at 10:08 AM on December 30, 2010
posted by eunoia at 10:08 AM on December 30, 2010
Coverage shouldn't be an issue. In terms of providers, Mobile Vikings is cheapest (and prepaid which is always good).
posted by eendje at 2:52 PM on December 30, 2010
posted by eendje at 2:52 PM on December 30, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
An extra data allowance can be bought online, or by getting cards.
Which phone company would be best really depends on your location, and even where you are seated. T-Mobile often is terrible when it comes to get a reception indoors. So, if you're really in the boondogs you could be out of luck.
The main Belgian companies seem to be Mobistar and Proximus [look for 'Internet Everywhere'].
posted by ijsbrand at 8:53 AM on December 30, 2010