Mobile broadband

Squibbles_2

OK, I am not expecting superfast internet broadband, like the stated 'up to 7.2Mbps' download speed, but what is the actual speed in reality?

I live in the suburbs of a big city, plus, am I able to move around while using mobile broadband? I know the word 'mobile' suggest that I probably could, but just want to know

Plus, who is the best provider?

PlutoinCapricorn

Mobile BB is really like very fast dialup in my experience. It is not really suitable for playing games and sometimes YouTube films stop and start. It is ideal for moving around, as you don't need to find a hotspot.

You could get a prepaid 3 dongle just to see what reception you get: there is no need to take out a contract, you just plug in and go.

Squibbles_2

PlutoinCapricorn wrote: »

Mobile BB is really like very fast dialup in my experience. It is not really suitable for playing games and sometimes YouTube films stop and start. It is ideal for moving around, as you don't need to find a hotspot.

You could get a prepaid 3 dongle just to see what reception you get: there is no need to take out a contract, you just plug in and go.

But what do you mean by 'very fast dial-up' in term of like in Kbps?

glider3560

On 3, I was getting about 300kbps during busier times (in city centre). This would occasionally rise to around 900kbps.

The main reason why I kept it, was for use on the train. As long as I could get a signal, I was able to access the internet at a reasonable speed.

PlutoinCapricorn

I am not sure how to measure the kbps. I do know that 3 are upgrading their networks - you can see where is being done when on their website - and ever since they have done my area slowness in the evenings and at weekends is a thing of the past. I know that more and more websites have ads etc. that can make loading take a while, but that affects everyone. It is fast enough for what I do.

I use my dongle with both Windows and Firefox, and Firefox is probably a little faster. Big cities probably are the best places to use it, but someone on MSE reported connecting from a caravan in the middle of nowhere.

jd87

On 3 with a 7.2mbps dongle, in an area 3 describe as having good coverage outdoors only, I get about 1.7mbps. More than fast enough for most things.

Rufus_348

On the 3 website (here: http://www.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/Coverage_speed) they say that the actual speeds are likely to be 'up to' 2.8Mb. When I've used it to before its been around 1Mb. I think you can get it on a 30-day moneyback guarantee though.

PlutoinCapricorn

3 say that the best results come when you use the dongle upstairs, near a window and on the cable not plugged in directly. The last tip also ensures that the dongle does not overheat, which they are liable to do.

Being able to use it in the park or on a train is very useful - it does not work on the underground though.

Squibbles_2

Rufus_348 wrote: »

On the 3 website (here: http://www.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband/Coverage_speed) they say that the actual speeds are likely to be 'up to' 2.8Mb. When I've used it to before its been around 1Mb. I think you can get it on a 30-day moneyback guarantee though.

I know there is good coverage, but the point is, with all broadband, the max is never achieved in this country, the words 'Up to' stipulate it is only a maximum any ISP can provide, whether it actually achieves that, is another matter

kaya

my iphone uses orange 3g mobile broadband, it seems as quick and good at streaming live feeds as my 20meg wifi connection at home, i can easily watch telly programmes without any issues whatsoever using the 3g network

Snakeeyes21

Ive got one of their 3.6mb dongles and get ok speeds

More than quick enough to do almost anything, iplayer,youtube, spotify, general browsing and downloading.

I live in a fairly remote area but they are upgrading the masts to 7.2mb soon so I should get even faster speeds if I can blag one of their new dongles off them.