lappie internet connection via T-mobile usb

Becky

Becky

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just been looking for a laptop internet connection via a mobile phone. I have an O2 phone/mini computer (PDS?) and I also have a second similar phone (don't ask why /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif) and I just thought I could get a sim card that would only give me the internet, without the telephone bit.

Dumb idea I subsequently discovered. In fact anything I asked in simple language seemed to be beyond the neurone connections in all the network companies shops I visited this afternoon, except T-Mobile, who have a 'Web'n'walk' connection which they sell as a usb connection to the laptop. No phone, just the net connection. .

Not especially fast, well not in my house, anyway. But I can use it wherever there is a mob signal. Even abroad, where it will of course cost me more. Quite a bit more I suspect.

Anyone using this type of thing? Any suggestions as to cost in France?

Download speeds are not very quick, but they are better than dial-up. I think.

Is it worth it? Can still take it back if it isn't considered to be good enough /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
I recently signed up for the WebWlak thing only to find out that Vodafone have much better coverage. So sort of wish I'd done more homework now! Works well where there is coverage though.
 
I use the Vodafone Internet Connect box in Portugal. This is the USB equivalent of what you describe.

Its excellent.

I reckon its as fast as 512k downstream adsl - or maybe even 1024k on a good day.

Its pretty inexpensive in Portugal - I pay about 30 euros a month and that gives me 5 gig down and 1 gig up.

I regularly use it for VOIP calls to the rest of the world and most of the time they are tolerably clear. Just occasionally we give up - but normally its latency that beats us.

Ping times to most sites are perhaps 120ms - compared to say 20-30ms for a fixed line.

Hope this helps?
 
We use Vodafone for 3G internet connection as coverage is better than T-Mo but be warned the costs are steep if you use it abroad. Hubby's last bill was over £100 mainly down to surfing for flights/ferries for crew when in Cherbourg & getting a forecast when in St Malo.

Other gotcha is that the Vodafone card doesn't roam to the Channel Isles - no connection in Guernsey or Jersey.

Other than that no complaints - simply plug it in and it works and I'm currently using it from home as we've no broadband connection yet at the new house.
 
I have a Vodafone GPRS PCMCIA card and data-only SIM. I use it when travelling, even on the train, and it works well for me. Roaming is enabled, however the only 'overseas' use it's had has been the Isle of Man.
 
I use 3 as my internet connection, i pay an extra £5 per month and it give me unlimited free internet connection at broadband speed. you can either connect though a phone or buy a pc card and put you sim in it!
You need to get X series silver!!!! on 3
 
You can see the T-Mobile web-n-walk coverage map here.... http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/personal/pages.do/our-services/uk-coverage/street-check?ref=homepage

I have one of the web-n-walk pc cards that also includes wifi. At my house, the 3G coverage has a faster speed than my BT landline broadband. When in the Caribbean recently, I was also able to access cable&wireless wifi hotspots and any number of free wifi connections in bars and restaurants. A truly wonderful device. Can't tell you the cost 'cos though as the bill goes straight to the company.

Now if only they'd sort out the quality of their voice coverage life with t-mobile would be perfect.
 
I have a Belkin 'G' 54Mbps network card which enables me to connect to my in house router. Which I will use in marinas to see if I can sneak a connection.

BUT... we hopefully intend to do a lot more anchoring this summer than last, and hopefully save a lot of money on marinas, especially in July when the French put the prices up.

So... I am looking for an easy way of downloading weather info so that I don't get caught in a nasty weather system like has happened in the past.

Given a synoptic chart I can guestimate what is coming, and either stay put or dash for better safety. I am prepared to pay a reasonable amount for this info, as theoretically it should save wear and tear on sails, rig, windows that still leak, etc.

Then there is the opportunity to stay in touch with all my virtual friends and see what is on the forums. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

So, the feeling I have at the moment is that what I have bought could be faster in a better coverage area, and that hopefully it will be slightly cheaper than the Vodaphone equivalent.

When visiting the various shops, Vodaphone suggested that I go back to O2, the contract I have already. So did Orange. But the guys in T-Mobile were pushing me into the latest Nokia 95, while the girl there actually listened to what I was saying and sold me a solution. Just hope it will be good eenough without ruining me. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
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especially in July when the French put the prices up

[/ QUOTE ]

Ha! Dream on! Here in La Rochelle, summer rates now start in MAY! Double the winter rates... (but still cheaper than a large part of the UK, I think).

And the wi-fi's 'iffy'...

Brian.
 
I run a small network, and we have a number of laptops all of which we connect via bluetooth to our Nokia phones on Orange 3g.

Very easy to configure, The orange coverage is reasonable and reliable. Certainly usually faster than dialup.
If the 3g net is not available it reverts to 2.5 G which is about 9800kbs if I recal, still fast enough for lite web sites and email.

Our total bill on avg per month for 4 phones plus all our 3g etc is £240 inc vat. We have never come close to using our allowance up of data.

We also supplement this in two ways;

I have a BT broadband acct which gives us inclusive openzone minutes, which we access using the built in wifi on the laptops.

if we are short of 3g coverage, and cant find a openzone then you would be surprised at how often you can find a open wifi connection, which the computer just logs onto and away we go..... but of course you did not hear that from me.

I like having a usb connection for the phone available, if the bluetooth isnt working you can always plug in, but our experience is that wires fail more than the bluetooth does.

We use Windows XP pro, and have found that with all the updates and SP2 it is very good and easy to configure.

I regularly use this to access weather from the boat plus email, etc. In fact even with WIFI available at PYH i prefer to use my orange phone.

BTW with a bluetooth connection on the phone to the laptop, you can talk on the phone whilst browsing using your 3g connection.

Many of our competitors use a dedicated Data Card on Vodaphone/orange, however I cant see the point of a seperate account when its more cost effective to just add the 3g to your current phone, and as pointed out above, there is no real handicap in workflow.

Sorry never used the system in France.

I love this setup, with my compact dell, and my bluetooth on the phone, I am completley wire free and can browse for a couple of hours without even plugging in! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
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you would be surprised at how often you can find a open wifi connection, which the computer just logs onto and away we go.....

[/ QUOTE ]

Beware of using any private/personal data on an open wifi network - they may be setting a trap to collect your passwords, bank info etc.

There's one somewhere near our new house. & when HWMBO took a bit of a look at the setup (he's horribly techie & designs these things for a living) he found the backend v v secure, the provider obviously didn't want to be identified. He doubts they are magnamously offering local residents a FOC wifi connection.
 
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