Internet Access At Site

[SoCalMusicLover]

Is there a secret to getting internet service on a laptop during the festival? Do I need any sort of USB connector in order to get a better signal, or is there a pay by the week/month plan I'll have to sign up for with a service provider?

I remember finding it impossible to get a connection in 2009 when I tried. Found a tent with free service on Sunday, so I was able to take care of some unfinished travel plans for my trip to Barcelona after the festival. I would like to be able to get internet access from my tent this time if possible.

[eFestivals]

if you've got a data dongle for one of the major mobile providers you'll probably not have too many issues, tho some are normally better than others (Orange have traditionally been the best, but with lesser involvement with Glastonbury this year that might not be the case this time) - it depends how many temporary transmitters each provider install for the festival.

But are you sure you really want to take a laptop? That seems a little OTT to me.

[*Stevie B*]

Probably better off getting a smart phone with mobile Internet if it's only simple tasks like travel updates, e.t.c, you need the Internet for.

Never known anyone to take a laptop to a festival before

[The_Spoon]

I'm going to be reliant on borrowing someones smartphone (Don't want to take mine) or finding some sort of "internet cafe" if one exists as I'm fairly sure my final Uni results are released during Glasto, need to know if I'm celebrating or drowning my sorrows!

[jeffie]

I'm going to be reliant on borrowing someones smartphone (Don't want to take mine) or finding some sort of "internet cafe" if one exists as I'm fairly sure my final Uni results are released during Glasto, need to know if I'm celebrating or drowning my sorrows!

[hashcity]

I used the internet a few times last year on my mobile, and from what I remember, the only time when the network was quiet enough to make this possible was around 4am on the Thursday morning. At all other times there was so much network traffic that everything was running at a crawl. I wouldn't count on being able to get any decent mobile internet service.

I believe there are traders wifi networks but none of these are open to the public, as far as I know.

As others have said, bringing a laptop seems excessive and very ill advised. A smartphone would be better.

[oldbird]

I thought there was internet access in the Orange Chill and Charge tent or did I imagine it?

[hashcity]

I thought there was internet access in the Orange Chill and Charge tent or did I imagine it?

[glasto-worker]

I believe there are traders wifi networks but none of these are open to the public, as far as I know.

As others have said, bringing a laptop seems excessive and very ill advised. A smartphone would be better.

[incident]

I thought there was internet access in the Orange Chill and Charge tent or did I imagine it?

[StoneCircle]

Is there a secret to getting internet service on a laptop during the festival? Do I need any sort of USB connector in order to get a better signal, or is there a pay by the week/month plan I'll have to sign up for with a service provider?

I remember finding it impossible to get a connection in 2009 when I tried. Found a tent with free service on Sunday, so I was able to take care of some unfinished travel plans for my trip to Barcelona after the festival. I would like to be able to get internet access from my tent this time if possible.

Edited May 10, 2011 by StoneCircle

[MamaJojo]

Is there a secret to getting internet service on a laptop during the festival? Do I need any sort of USB connector in order to get a better signal, or is there a pay by the week/month plan I'll have to sign up for with a service provider?

I remember finding it impossible to get a connection in 2009 when I tried. Found a tent with free service on Sunday, so I was able to take care of some unfinished travel plans for my trip to Barcelona after

the festival. I would like to be able to get internet access from my tent this time if possible.

[cejx]

I'm going to be reliant on borrowing someones smartphone (Don't want to take mine) or finding some sort of "internet cafe" if one exists as I'm fairly sure my final Uni results are released during Glasto, need to know if I'm celebrating or drowning my sorrows!

[ukslim]

When I first started going, ordinary people just didn't own mobile phones. You just had to accept that your link to the outside world was the newspapers, payphones if you were prepared to queue, and the grapevine. If you separated from your mates, you had to make very clear plans about how to meet up, with backup plans, and still accept that they might not work out.

It was quite nice and liberating.

It also meant those "Margaret Thatcher's died" rumours could survive longer. When Michael Jackson died, it was easy to corroborate; where's the fun in that?

Later, when mobiles became more common, they still didn't work very well on site.

Now they work pretty well, although the network's congested. As much as I liked the freedom of not having phones, it's super useful to have one, and I wouldn't do without.

However, although I'm glued to Twitter on my smartphone normally, I think I'd hesitate to take it with me to Glastonbury. Not because I'm worried about theft, but because I want at least *some* sense of being cut off from all that day to day stuff.

[whateverman]

Leave the internets at home. Plug out. Turn on. Etc., etc.

[SoCalMusicLover]

As I'm coming from the U.S., I am taking my laptop with me. I am an internet junkie, and I need an occasional fix, or I feel like I'm missing something. Having my own access makes it easier, since I can just go on late at night or in the morning, check a few of the sites I frequent(mail/news/music/sports), and that's enough to get me by. Even if it's just a couple of times all weekend. Being completely cut off from all of the MJ news in '09 felt really strange. If the U.S. kills Osama Bin Laden again next month, I want to be able to find out the details.

My friend might sell me his Iphone 3G, and I would consider taking it with me. Having never had one, I don't know much about whether that will be suitable, and alleviate the necessity of a laptop connection. It looks like there are UK SIM cards I can buy, which would allow me to use internet from the phone. If that's the case, I'm guessing that Orange is the best choice for service, or at least it has been in recent years. Since we'll be spending 5 full days on site this time, I really want to have decent cellular reception if possible.

Thanks for the tips and advice.

[jimmystobo]

you can buy a pre loaded dongle for £20-£30 should come with between 1gb and 3gb on it.

Edited May 10, 2011 by jimmystobo

[MamaJojo]

As I'm coming from the U.S., I am taking my laptop with me. I am an internet junkie, and I need an occasional fix, or I feel like I'm missing something. Having my own access makes it easier, since I can just go on late at night or in the morning, check a few of the sites I frequent(mail/news/music/sports), and that's enough to get me by. Even if it's just a couple of times all weekend.

Being completely cut off from all of the MJ news in '09 felt really strange. If the U.S. kills Osama Bin Laden again next month, I want to be able to find out the details.

My friend might sell me his Iphone 3G, and I would

consider taking it with me. Having never had one, I don't know much about whether that will be suitable, and alleviate the necessity of a laptop connection. It looks like there are UK SIM cards I can buy, which would allow me to use internet from the phone. If that's the case, I'm guessing that Orange is the best choice for service, or at least it has been in recent years. Since we'll be spending 5 full days on site this time, I really want to have decent cellular reception if possible.

Thanks for the tips and advice.

[guypjfreak]

Is there a secret to getting internet service on a laptop during the festival? Do I need any sort of USB connector in order to get a better signal, or is there a pay by the week/month plan I'll have to sign up for with a service provider?

I remember finding it impossible to get a connection in 2009 when I tried. Found a tent with free service on Sunday, so I was able to take care of some unfinished travel plans for my trip to Barcelona after the festival. I would like to be able to get internet access from my tent this time if possible.

[glasto-worker]

My friend might sell me his Iphone 3G, and I would consider taking it with me. Having never had one, I don't know much about whether that will be suitable, and alleviate the necessity of a laptop connection. It looks like there are UK SIM cards I can buy, which would allow me to use internet from the phone.

[SoCalMusicLover]

I know that the phone has to be unlocked, so I can put in a new sim card. It will be, otherwise it won't be of use to me in Europe.

[incident]

I know that the phone has to be unlocked, so I can put in a new sim card. It will be, otherwise it won't be of use to me in Europe.

[MamaJojo]

Also remember that the Battery life on any Smart Phone is going to be appalling by Festival standards - a day if you're lucky and likely less than that. The iPhone I believe also inexplicably has the "feature" that you can't remove/swap the battery so the trick of taking a few charged spares doesn't work.

[ukslim]

I am an internet junkie, and I need an occasional fix, or I feel like I'm missing something.

[whateverman]

I know the feeling, I have the same tendencies. But you used the right word: junkie.

Go cold turkey for a weekend. You'll feel better for it, I promise. Also you'll enjoy the festival more.