Just a suggestion - when buying the necessary internet modem/sim card/usb plug - we are with the big T at home. I went over my allowance and was shaped - took forever to open a website while shaped so I bought an O 30 day modem - it was as slow as the shaped T. Hope you can understand those abbreviations!
Yes, you can get prepaid modems - I just bought one for travelling $50 for 5 gig but it lasts 12 months. I have broadband wi-fi at home (100 gig).
I have a mobile wifi modem. No cables needed as my laptop has wifi.
When I travel I take the laptop and modem with me. The modem lasts for hours between charges. It's on a plan with telstra. The plan isn't cheap but it's the only internet I can get here.
I think you would be able to use it with a tablet too.
The prepaid modem is about a wallet size that you charge on a power point (or with the usb plug) - once it is charged you can have it in your pocket/purse/close by and your tablet will pick up the signal. As someone mentioned, if you get a tablet with a usb socket, you can also buy a prepaid usb plug. Not sure how the sim cards work.
I have a Sansung Galaxy - about 11 inch and the modem works well with it when we're travelling.
