GSM internet USB sticks again.

J

jonjo

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I know this has been discussed in the past 6 months but the new dumbed down YBW search facility is so bad I cannot find the threads.

So far during my research I have concluded that Vodaphone and T-Mobile have the best coverage. From a Solent point of view Gosport and Cowes look good, Yarmouth is a blackspot on both networks but T-Mobile covers Lymington.

I have a few technical questions…

Should I go for a USB pen shaped stick or slightly larger "modem" on a lead? In either case I would probably use a usb extension lead to get the antenna higher outside.

Deal wise, on a Vodaphone tariff I would have to make an upfront decision on whether to subscribe to a 3Gb or 5Gb monthly allowance. As a non live-aboard 3Gb seems more than enough for browsing mainly text based web pages.

Any other tips folks? Can these gadgets be purchased over the counter in a high street Telco shop?

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/business/mobile-phones/internet/laptop

http://online.vodafone.co.uk/dispatch/Po...&tabIndex=0
 
3 mobile now sell mobile internet dongles at £50 each with the cost being Pay As You Go. If you are away from the UK you have direct control of the cost of downloading data.
 
Yesterday, I was told by the ‘3’ shop in Newbury (Berkshire) that “data downloading with ‘3’ only operates in a few countries outside the UK, France not being one of them”.

However, looking on the 3 website, I see that in those few countries I was told about, you can use your inclusive Mb allowance, just like your in the UK, but you can still use the dongle in the other countries (incl. France) at a cost of £3 per Mb.
 
Hiya JonJo,

Vodafone (who I work for) have 2 devices which both fit a usb port in your computer, the stick and a modem. Both of these devices run at up to 7.2mb/s which is quick, but as with everything, depends on coverage. We have highest uk coverage.

There may be no need to get these devices higher in the air as the biggest barrier of 3g signal seems to be brick. Mine works fine here in Hartlepool marina.

These devices are both free on a 24 month agreement and the tarrif you describe is £15 per month.

Give me a shout if you need anything else OK,

Andy
 
[ QUOTE ]
3 mobile now sell mobile internet dongles at £50 each with the cost being Pay As You Go.

[/ QUOTE ]
Thank you, I was not aware of this option. Dealwise this seems ideal for the seasonal yachtsman.

Trouble is according to the “3 Mobile” outline UK coverage map the south of the UK is subject to a progressive high speed cell rollout during 2008. The detailed map however indicates good coverage in the Solent locations that interest me. Hmm I am not sure if I should trust the coverage maps from any mobile network because they all claim a good conventional signal in a Fenland mobile blackspot I am familiar with.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Deal wise, on a Vodaphone tariff I would have to make an upfront decision on whether to subscribe to a 3Gb or 5Gb monthly allowance. As a non live-aboard 3Gb seems more than enough for browsing mainly text based web pages.


[/ QUOTE ]

I am on the internet constantly on a Vodafone 5Gb account. Just noticed that I've only used 1.5Gb so far this month so go for the 3Gb and don't worry about graphic sites apart from video downloads.
 
Just bought a £G stick on special offer in London for 69 squids, for dongle plus 3G for three months. Is working fine at home here in Nettuno, Italy this weekend.

Alan.
 
I too have gone with 'Three'. (I started one of the various threads discussing these, and no!, I can't find it readily either!).

I have found solid coverage in the Solent area and elsewhere. (There are anomolies in the coverage info on 3s website depending on the route you take through the site).

My download speed is typically 1Mb/s as measured by various speed-test sites (not to be confused with the sync speed which is always 3.6Mb/s). This occaisonally drops dramatically in 'peak' times presumably due to contention. Oddly, the upload speed is constant at an appalling 50kb/s, and this renders VOIP (Skype etc) unsatisfactory.

I find 1GB ample on board (I use about 3GB/month on the home computer).

There is a good comparison of all the UK networks in the current edition of PCPRO magasine, although they have only quoted contract rates, not PAYG.

One point to watch on '3' PAYG: You get no warning when your 30days validity has expired. If you have any credit in your account and connect it will be gobbled up at the astronomic rate of £1 /MB /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif Best not to load credit until you actually want to buy a months use, or just use vouchers.

Vic
 
I have been using 3's mobile internet on the boat in the Clyde for 3/4 months and am pleased with the signal levels. Unusual as it seem I get a very good signal in Kip marina my base, you can hardy get TV there. In fact if the signal was as good at home I would drop my landline.

I am on 1gb a month but have never ever used that even in first month trying it out all the time.

As is the norm the price has reduced since I got it. I am on a contract but would now have gone for pay as you go. £50 for modem and £10 top ups of 1 gb.

Given the chose I would stick with modem with cable as it is less likely to get damaged in the restricted space of a chart table etc.
 
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