Mobile usb broadband

[Jiglo]

Noticed a few of the smaller-site managers have been using usb mobile broadband recently and been thinking about getting it myself for something to do at break times

By chance, Vodafone rang me earlier offering it to me for 15quid a month for 3gb or 25quid for 5gb.

Does anybody use this and how much of that bandwidth would I need for general surfing, like checking up on osa at lunchtime for instance

[wayne]

It all depends on what you are using it for.

If its general surfing 3gb is sufficent.

If your intending to stream or DL large amounts of Data i would go for the 5gb. ( however that is expensive if you look round you can get unlimited data for that on other networks)

Its also worth noting that the data is already compressed when using these devices so you get more than you would think as far as web pages are concerned etc.

These devices are really good and can run at up to 2meg+ depending on coverage versus the old data cards at 384kps.

Also they are usually plug and play so no software needed

Is is an 18 or 24 month contract?

[simzzzz]

definetly the future of internet connections.. no wires !

think in a couple of years as the technology evolves as well they will be the norm like broadband is now.

[Jiglo]

Cheers wayne

I was told by one of the site managers that the Vodafone pcmcia card was faster than the 3G usb dongle/card thing. I took it to mean that Vodafone is faster than 3G and this was right near the new media centre being built in Salford for the Beeb.

Didn't realise the contracts were for so long though What happened to 12 mnth contracts?

[wayne]

Its down to the subsidy of the device itself that will be free; you should be ok to get a 18 month contract steer away from 2yrs

[BlackburnRaver]

I've got one of the vodafone pcmcia cards, it does the same thing as a USB dongle but you can only plug them into a laptop with a pcmcia slot. They are good m8, you need to make sure your in an area where theres 3g coverage though - have a look on the website for more details... The speed is spot on, even when your downloading things, only annoything thing about mine is that its a works one and by default vodafone have content restriction in place so you can't go on any sites that are rated for over 18's etc.

Oh, if your just going to be browsing the tintermutt with it aswell you wont need a big bandwidth allowance, couple of gb a month should be ample

[wayne]

Originally Posted by BlackburnRaver

The speed is spot on, even when your downloading things, only annoything thing about mine is that its a works one and by default vodafone have content restriction in place so you can't go on any sites that are rated for over 18's etc.

If you call Voda you should be easily be able to remove the over 18 restiction; its only put on there to protect the young

[walshy]

Originally Posted by wayne

If you call Voda you should be easily be able to remove the over 18 restiction; its only put on there to protect the young

I have the usb one and its pretty good I have 3 gig a month which I never use and the speed is quite good too.

RE the content filter, our engineers have voda cards and have tried to take it off, but it has to be the account holder who requests it ie work, so thats a no go.

If its just mobile surfing you're after then it a from me.

[Jiglo]

Can't get the sales staff these days as i'm still waiting for her to get back

Balls to those airport and hotel 10 quid an hour internet rates from now on

Could have done with the card today as i've been as good as sat on my arse all day just to do a 1 hr job.

[bongfeind]

Originally Posted by Jiglo

Cheers wayne

I was told by one of the site managers that the Vodafone pcmcia card was faster than the 3G usb dongle/card thing. I took it to mean that Vodafone is faster than 3G and this was right near the new media centre being built in Salford for the Beeb.

Didn't realise the contracts were for so long though What happened to 12 mnth contracts?

i foned vodafone over one they said u dont need a contract u can get pay as you go but u need to buy the modem off them for 150 quid i think they said it was

[wayne]

Originally Posted by bongfeind

i foned vodafone over one they said u dont need a contract u can get pay as you go but u need to buy the modem off them for 150 quid i think they said it was

The only drawback with that is that equates to 10 months line rental only leaving you to pay for the remaining 8 months @£15. Plus you will pay for your data as you consume it- will work out costly in the long run.

Having said that some people dont like contracts and choose PAYG.

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

Sorry to seem thick but i'm confuzzled as to how these work...

If you've got a data allowance on yer existing mobby contract, can't you just bung yer simcard into the PCMCIA card or USB stick & then plug that in yer lappy?

That's what I'd want... One contract, one simcard... If it's in the lappy & someone phones you up, the phone rings ower bluetooth

Don't spose they're at that level yet, but if they are I'd be interested.

[Jen.in.NC]

Originally Posted by bongfeind

i foned vodafone over one they said u dont need a contract u can get pay as you go

yessssssss!!!!

Originally Posted by bongfeind

but u need to buy the modem off them for 150 quid i think they said it was

shtdamfk

[nics]

are any of the other service providers ok or is it just voda??

i know a few peeps on 3 have got or are thinking abopout getting one of these........

hes on 3 and has been told by carphone warehouse (where he signed up for his fone) if he gets his dongle thingy via them he doesnt have to pay a lump sum but only the monthly thing on an 18month contract........but the best thing is coz hes already with 3 he gets the rental of the dongle for half price......so instead of £15 he will pay £7.50

[BlackburnRaver]

Originally Posted by walshy

I have the usb one and its pretty good I have 3 gig a month which I never use and the speed is quite good too.

RE the content filter, our engineers have voda cards and have tried to take it off, but it has to be the account holder who requests it ie work, so thats a no go.

If its just mobile surfing you're after then it a from me.

Well thats deffo a no go then coz the account holder is the head of the dept and I'm not sure he knows I'm using it at home instead of paying for Broadband lol!

Originally Posted by nics

are any of the other service providers ok or is it just voda??

i know a few peeps on 3 have got or are thinking abopout getting one of these........

hes on 3 and has been told by carphone warehouse (where he signed up for his fone) if he gets his dongle thingy via them he doesnt have to pay a lump sum but only the monthly thing on an 18month contract........but the best thing is coz hes already with 3 he gets the rental of the dongle for half price......so instead of £15 he will pay £7.50

I've not used any others apart from O2, they seem quite good but not as good as vodafone... I'm led to believe that vodafone has the best coverage in the UK for 3g, but I also read somwhere else that t-mobile are soon to have the largest 3g network in the country. If the T-mobile phone signal is anything to go off than I'd stay well clear coz I've had one and I'd never have another one !