3G broadband data cards advice required.

noobie

I'm working away from home currently and I need one of these to gain internet access for nights to browse for an hour or so. However I need to find more information about them. I've only read a link on the vodafone site about them, does anywhere else sell them?
Is the coverage/reception reliable?
I'm reluctant to sign upto a 12 month deal initially (it seems that is all Vodafone offer) as I've never tried it before, is there away way of getting a trial run to see how it operates?

Any other recommendations?
(also is every laptop compatible? mine is a Dell Inspiron 1300)

Thanks
Cheryl

blisteringblue

I have the Orange 3G datacard and when it works it is superb, but if you are not in a strong 3G area and it drops to GPRS its quite slow. But get a strong 3G signal and it is almost ADSL speeds.

I think most companies do a PAYG scheme, where you buy the card and then just pay as you use it. My Orange contract is £20 a month (card did cost £100 but that was when they 1st came out) and from that I get 64mb of data a month, but there are better schemes now, I've not changed as it meant a new 12 month contract.

One thing I will say is watch your data limits, I had quite a busy month once and ended up with a bill for £96 !! Luckily my works pay but the built in data meter was shocking.

PS. Most laptops with PCMCIA slots will work fine. Your Dell will work.

jayne-mams

Orange, O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone all do 3G datacard services. The cheapest one by far I found was T-Mobile who I've now been with for 10 months - £17+VAT/month, free card, "unlimited" data access, though checked their T&Cs a while back and it was several gigabytes which is fine for general use.

There are PAYG schemes, but the standard rate of around £4/Mb that the networks charge make it hardly worth it - it would be so easy to run up a huge bill! and you have to pay for the card...

buglawton

What about T-mobile web'n'walk at £1 on any day used maximum charge.

Also consider adding Onspeed at £25/annum it speeds up surfing on gprs by a factor of 3 to 4 and reduces data throughput by 75% per my own tests.

gavinp

Please check before buying a card that it will fit your laptop - some Dell Inspiron 1300 models (if not all of them) have an ExpressCard slot instead of a PCMCIA one:

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/shopper/labs/92303/dell-inspiron-1300.html

I also have a T-Mobile Web'n'Walk card which works well - not as fast as proper broadband in a strong signal area - I haven't tried using it where the signal isn't good.

Thanks

Gavin

zappahey

I use T-Mobile PAYG and I'm very happy with it. Super fast when you're in a 3G area and adequate for email etc if you can only get GPRS.

The best part is that T-Mobile PAYG is capped to £1 per day. I think there is a fair use policy of 40MB in any one day but that is plenty for light use.

sjc_2

I used T-Mobile Web & Walk Pro with my N95 acting as the Modem works great at HSDPA Speeds

jampton

T-mobile (40MB / day) as an add on to a contract phone is only £7.50 / month - mobile phones can used as a modem connecting via usb or bluetooth to the computer.

everythingblogcast

I have two
Orange Melin U530
Orange Option 3G

I am on PAYG and I pay £1 for unlimited transfar - to midnight.

noobie

Thankyou everyone, you have talked me into the TMobile version and Ive checked it out and looks good, think the Flext 35 + web 'n' walk Plus (18) option @ £47.50 a month suits me best (although is dearer than I expected).

Just a few more questions

1) I noticed in the T&C it states "Roaming charges apply", what does this mean?
2) How do I know if my laptop has a PCMCIA slot instead of an ExpressCard slot?
3) Is there anyway of knowing how much of the fair use policy of 3GB that I have used in the month.


Thanks Again
Cheryl

Networkguy

Roaming charges = If you use it out of the UK you will pay extra (and in some cases LOTS extra)

You would know if you had an ExpressCard slot as these are VERY new and rare.

The included software for the card usually has a usage meter.