Mobile phone deal with 3G included?

stef.steve

Hi all there,

I am not so expert in mobile phones, especially not in UK deals.

I have tried to check the various mobile deals comparison sites, but it seems information is focused on minutes of conversation and texts and not on 3G.

To me, these are not that meaningful as I mainly text abroad and call not so much. Instead, I am more interested in 3G for using the Internet.

Are there monthly subscriptions where 3G in included instead? (Or comparison sites where this "feature" is better highlighted).

Thanks for the reply.
Stef

mrochester

3G for what purpose? Data? Video calling? Voice? 3G is just a means by which the information is transmitted to and from your handset, it isn't really a 'feature'. If you're in a 3G area using a 3G phone, you will get a 3G signal. If you're not, you won't.

stef.steve

3G for the internet: browsing, chatting...I don't know if I can manage to use Skypeout and call landlines for free using a 3G connection. Can I?

Anyhow, Im mainly search for an technologically advanced mobile phone which allows me to decently use the internet and does not rip me off...

Thanks.

Buzby

Because 3G is a technology - it currently offers the highest bandwidth (faster still with HSDPA), BUT the issue for you as a customer is the cost of TRANSFERRING data (per Gb). This means if there is a swueeze on bandwidth because it will take longer to deliver the data, you are still only charged for the amount of data sent/recieved, not the time it takes.

Sid_Harper

To answer your question: a 3G phone on a 3G network with a 3G enabled SIM (which is most UK networks) will allow you high speed 3 or 3.5G based data traffic - which makes for a quick internet experience. However, if you want to 'tether' (connect other devices, like a laptop to your phone as a route to getting internet access), use MSN Chat or suchlike, or VoIP services (like Skype) then most basic web packages (the ones that are £10 or less a month) will not allow you to do that, because the network thinks they lose revenue. They will also have an upper limit on data usage (despite claiming 'unlimited) which most are unlikely to reach.

The notable exception to most of the above is 3 which let you use Skype and MSN on certain phones whether or not you have a data package. The downside - rubbish service (customer and reception, apparently).

The phone? Well, most phones are 3G now - I personally use a Nokia E51 (old now, but still a great phone in my opinion). It has WiFi so I just use my wireless network at home or in places where it's free (e.g. McDonalds).

Any

stef.steve wrote: »

Hi all there,

I am not so expert in mobile phones, especially not in UK deals.

I have tried to check the various mobile deals comparison sites, but it seems information is focused on minutes of conversation and texts and not on 3G.

To me, these are not that meaningful as I mainly text abroad and call not so much. Instead, I am more interested in 3G for using the Internet.

Are there monthly subscriptions where 3G in included instead? (Or comparison sites where this "feature" is better highlighted).

Thanks for the reply.
Stef

I know what you mean. You mean you want comparison where it will pick up a deal with unlimited internet download rather then to line them up by the minutes and texts you can get a month...

I posted the very same questions few days ago and noone replied to me. So I am supposing that no comparison website gives you the option yet to line up deals by the amount of internet downloads...

However I went on Dialaphone.co.uk and when you line up the deal by minutes and texts (I did 300&300) and you pick a phone with good internet feature (I did Nokia N97 & Nokia 5800) then look on the left handside and one of the extras will be "unlimited internet browsing".

Have you picked the phone yet?

Any

http://www.dialaphone.co.uk/search.aspx?product=Nokia_N97&minute=201,400&dataallowance=-1,999999&downloadspeed=0,0&rowqty=10&sortkey=10&order=0&page=1

This is one of the searches...

If anyone can recommend better way to search for deals with unlimited internet, I would also appreciate the help...

stef.steve

Any wrote: »

I know what you mean. You mean you want comparison where it will pick up a deal with unlimited internet download rather then to line them up by the minutes and texts you can get a month...

Yes, exactly.

Any wrote: »

However I went on Dialaphone.co.uk and when you line up the deal by minutes and texts (I did 300&300) and you pick a phone with good internet feature (I did Nokia N97 & Nokia 5800) then look on the left handside and one of the extras will be "unlimited internet browsing".

Good tip, however, I do not mind if Internet is not unlimited, i would be happy to pick also a deal where I can have data for ...say...3GB per month, at the condition that the connection is stable and reliable.

Have you picked the phone yet?[/QUOTE]

No. I was keen to purchase one of the "top-notch" like iPhone, LG arena but they seem to offer 3G internet as extra...on top of the already expensive monthly fee....

Cheers,
Stef

stef.steve

Buzby wrote: »

Because 3G is a technology - it currently offers the highest bandwidth (faster still with HSDPA), BUT the issue for you as a customer is the cost of TRANSFERRING data (per Gb). This means if there is a swueeze on bandwidth because it will take longer to deliver the data, you are still only charged for the amount of data sent/recieved, not the time it takes.

yes, that i know. I have also a dongle for my laptop.

Do you know of a comparison site which shows if mobile Internet is included in the deal or not? In the standard comparison sites, this is even not included in the details...

Thanks
Stef

Any

No. I was keen to purchase one of the "top-notch" like iPhone, LG arena but they seem to offer 3G internet as extra...on top of the already expensive monthly fee....

Cheers,
Stef

Well from my research so far I found out that you are going to pay at least £35 on 18 mth contract if you want good phone and some internet usage... - to get good phone for free.

How much were you hoping to pay? I am currently on a hunt for similar requirements as you, so I could keep you updated what I found.

By the way the Iphone is on only with O2 (currently anyhow) and to get it for free you just need to sign up for 24 mths, £35 a month and you get unlimited internet.

stef.steve

Sid_Harper wrote: »

However, if you want to 'tether' (connect other devices, like a laptop to your phone as a route to getting internet access), use MSN Chat or suchlike, or VoIP services (like Skype)

I do not 'need' to 'tether' even if it would be handy, yes.

then most basic web packages (the ones that are £10 or less a month) will not allow you to do that, because the network thinks they lose revenue. They will also have an upper limit on data usage (despite claiming 'unlimited) which most are unlikely to reach.

By basic packages do you mean independent data packages, un-included in the monhtly fees for mobile phones deals?

I was after data packages included in the monthly fee and I expected deals like: "300 minutes conversation, 300 texts, 3GB data traffic" but, apparently, this is still not as standard as I thought.

The notable exception to most of the above is 3 which let you use Skype and MSN on certain phones whether or not you have a data package. The downside - rubbish service (customer and reception, apparently).

I sadly know about 3 as I have a dongle for my laptop...same comments as yours. :-(

About the above: do you mean that "3 includes mobile internet on some phones deals" or "3 allows you to tether you sim onto a laptop and connect to the Internet from there"?

The phone? Well, most phones are 3G now - I personally use a Nokia E51 (old now, but still a great phone in my opinion). It has WiFi so I just use my wireless network at home or in places where it's free (e.g. McDonalds).

I was after a phone with a data package included in the monthly fee. Apparently, it is still not so important to be added to the comparison sites...

Cheers
Stef