mobilebroadband is hopeless

HTCWinMob

robt is not the confused one!

A dongle is a plug in for your computer (usb type key normally). Completely different to mobile internet which is through your phone.

The original poster only mentioned the dongle and the first reply he got was somewhat useless as they talked about mobile broadband which doesn't exist on phones as it is known as mobile internet, therefore it was confusing.

Now then the big thing with dongles is all about where you live and what type of transmitters are around you. You may well have got a dongle but that doesn't mean you're going to get 7.2Mbps as you might not be in a 3g area. To explain the country still has different zones 2g, 3g and 3g+. Depending on what zone you are in will determine the type of speed you are likely to receive but also the more people using the airwaves will reduce the signal. I have a dongle and live in a 3g+ area but still only get on average just over 2.5Mbps - but that is technically broadband speed!!

As for mobile internet as discussed in post 2, the speed you recieve depends on the area and the technology in your phone. hsdpa is the newest technology that allows your phone to work on the internet. previously there was EDGE and GPRS. The software will determine to a large extent the speed you are likely to receive. So if you want to use your phone on the web etc then get one with hsdpa (note there are different versions) and use web browsers such as opera mini rather than internet explorer etc.

Garz

The mobile BB I have had for approx 10months or so, its actually great when you have the 3g speeds but countless times ive packed away the laptop working away when im in a 2g area as its worse than dial-up.

Your convincing yourself that it should be the perfect connection where in reality its impossible to cover the breadth of the country , especially when you have rival networks and different technologies meshing it together.

Its not brilliant but hey, the glass is not half empty right?

Caroline73_2

I have a 3 dongle and I have not hand any problems with access or speed except in one friends house but no-one can ever get any sort of phone signal there anyway.

ssgtsnelly

Just because you have an issue with the Orange one it does not mean that MBB is useless as a whole. I would recommend going with one of the "better" 3G networks such as 3 who imo offer the best MBB service in the UK or try Vodafones.

ally67_2

i have mobile internet via vodafone i have no problems with it whats ever i top it up with £15 and it last me at least a week or more ....im unable to have a phone line as were in a homeless hostel its the only way we can get internet

glasmale26

To clarify it is a dongle I have plugged into myllaptop,
My point is that I feel the service is marketed as 'mobile broadband' when in fact it is nothing of the sort,

Im not sure about mobile on phones but I do know this, I have a blackberry running gprs and I used to consistently pack up the laptop and use my bberry for browsing the net as it runs far quicker,

I would have presumed that the Orange mobile broadband service would run at comparable speeds as I guessed it would be using the same connectivity with the benefit being that you had the 'luxury' of a larger screen.

In summary I can hande the remainder of the contract as in the whole scheme of things the £15 doesnt break the bank. I simply wondered whether others have similar experiences and also in light of the fact that most places one would use a laptop out and about are now largely available on wifi do you feel that this 'dongle' market wont be about for too much longer?........