Best "Personal Hotspot" solution to connect iPad to iPhone 3GS

[trousers]

Hello technophiles....

 

Wonder if anyone can help....

 

The current Lady Trousers has an iPhone 3GS (on O2 PAYG) and an iPad 2 (WiFi only model)

 

She wants to be able to use her iPad to connect to the internet whilst "out and about" but not within range of a suitable WiFi signal....

 

So, I think the two options are:

 

(a) buy a new SIM for her iPhone 3GS that gives her data tethering facilities (i.e. the ability to generate a personal WiFi hotspot which she can then connect her iPad to) - unlike my iPhone 4GS, she doesn't get the "personal hotspot" option in 'settings' - I assume this is due to it not being allowed as part of her Pay As You Go tariff.. (?)

 

or

 

(b) buy a separate 'MiFi' dongle doo-dah device that she can connect the iPad to

 

Any recommendations on the best solution in given the starting position?

 

Cheers,

Trousers (Lord)

 

p.s. am looking for the cheapest solution for c.1 GB per month average usage

Edited 5 May, 2013 by trousers

[Essruu]

Switch to a Three SIM. You get the Personal Hotspot function for free, unlike with O2.

 

I was so impressed with the data coverage with Three on my iPad, I ditched O2 on my iPhone for Three also.

 

With an Unlimited Data plan, it's perfect for the tethering you want.

[trousers]

Hi Essruu - cheers for the reply - the 3 deal did catch my eye but wasn't sure how good their country wide coverage is . For example, the missus is going up to the Lake District in June and wants data access in remote parts of the hills up there. That said, I guess most mobile service providers might struggle in remote areas.

Thanks again

[LGTL]

This link will check 3 coverage countrywide;

 

http://www.three.co.uk/_popup/Coverage_checker

[Essruu]

I can't comment on The Lake District coverage, but my iPad on Three would regularly get full (and quick) coverage in various remote parts of The New Forest when my iPhone on O2 had nothing. It was the final thing that persuaded me to switch my iPhone to Three too. The data speeds knock spots off of O2 generally as well.

 

I just noticed that you. Said your wife's iPhone was a 3GS. The full Personal Hotspot was only supported from the iPhone 4 onwards. As far as I recall, the 3Gs does support Bluetooth Internet Sharing though, which is perfectly good for what you want.