Samba Mobile Broadband - Is it Really Free?

mgriff1887

Ive been using this service since it was launched; I can honestly say that it very good!
I use it with my iPad and it really is free internet!
As some may have pointed out the useage figures are quite high. Basically it seems to be a 10 - 1 ratio. What would normaly be 1 Mb equates to 10 Mb when you look at your useage figures.
I believe that this is due to the monitoring of your 'internet habits'.
The monitoring is clearly outlined in the blurb when you sign up.
At least they're honest about the fact that they monitor internet data gathered from your searches! its a small price to pay for free internet.

Bacraze

Samba really is a great service.

I use it on my Ipad when im out and about. Iv used samba since the start, I was invited to trial Samba Mobile when they first started out, and was very impressed. As a thank you, after the trial, they sent me out another sim to keep and use for free.

Not a bad service.

ioscorpio

What's it like as opposed to ovivomobile.com

verandi

Hi,

Just a quick question for those of you who have tried samba.
Do you know if it is possible to use an android phone (such as a HTC desire HD) as a modem with the sim card in? I am interested in trying samba out but dont want to splash out for a dongle and was hoping I could use my phone and tether it (like I do with a normal sim card)

Cheers

joolzian

Speeds are quite fast
I have 2 Gb "credit " clocked up on mine seems to work out about 100mbs per day on average you can earn loads at first then slows down so watch them while you can, and its about 3.5 mb per ad.
Not sure if you can tether it will be in T&C's

Just looked at FAQ's only works in dongle so no tethering.

r1skbreak3r

I've had one of their sims for a while now - there seem to be loads of ads available, I let them run in the background when I'm at work and can build up over 100Mb/day usually, which is fine for me as I only tend to use it when I'm away at a hotel. I've tried the sim in an ipad, PS Vita and android phone and had no problems with any of them. At the moment I've left it in the cheap Galaxy Europa that 3 gave me when I renewed my contract and will use tethering to make it like a Mifi device.

w50nky

I have had a sim for 3 weeks now with no problems so far in an unlocked 3 MIFI unit. Just need to train the kids to watch adds for me now!

thanos23

My experience of this is really good. I have 2 screens at work so over lunch I mess about on the internet on one and have Samba playing ads on the other. Easily manage to clock up 100mb a day. As mentioned previously, it's on the 3 network which has much better 3G coverage than my Giffgaff sim on the O2 network. There's nothing in the FAQs about tethering which I've done without any problems from the Android tablet I'm using the sim in. Don't see why they'd have an issue with it, they don't really care how you use the data. I'm not sure how long it will last but definitely worth a fiver. As long as it gets me through a week in Alnwick with no wifi in our cottage I'll be happy!

nmmerri

For my 3G iPad, I started with GiffGaff (over the O2 network) went from £7.50 per month for a GB which I didn't use all of to £5 for 500MB to using Samba on the 3 network for free.

I take both micro SIMs with me now in case there is no signal on one of the networks. To top up the £5 Samba SIM, you can watch the ads on any machine connected to the Internet so if I am going to be going away for a while, I use my home Wi-Fi network to watch the ads on my laptop, netbook, iPhone and iPad simultaneously and quickly build up a ton of credit. I have twice run out of ads on the iPad but had loads to watch on the netbook etc. at the same time.

So far, I can't fault Samba but I do worry a bit that they may go the way of FreeUK as they may have miscalculated their business model and will not be able to balance those who click through an ad and those who just click the ad and then don't even watch it. Hopefully, enough people will watch enough adverts, click through, be tracked and make a purchase to keep the advertising revenue rolling in and whole venture viable.

Hope this helps!

verandi

r1skbreak3r wrote: »

I've had one of their sims for a while now - there seem to be loads of ads available, I let them run in the background when I'm at work and can build up over 100Mb/day usually, which is fine for me as I only tend to use it when I'm away at a hotel. I've tried the sim in an ipad, PS Vita and android phone and had no problems with any of them. At the moment I've left it in the cheap Galaxy Europa that 3 gave me when I renewed my contract and will use tethering to make it like a Mifi device.

Thanks :beer:
I was hoping that it would work in a phone. I saw in the FAQs it said its not for phones because it cant make calls or send texts but no mention if it would work for data only.

Ordered mine yesterday so hopefully it will turn up soon. (already been topping up my credit from laptop)