mobile broadband - 3g - hsdpa

want2bmortgage3

ive been using 3's mobile broadband on payg and i like most things about it but where i am i sometimes cant connect. and sometimes the data usage suddenly jumps up by approx 10mb, i dont know why

does anyone know if all the providers use the same 3g network, as, if voda or t mob have a better signal i would consider changing to them.

also i dont see why i couldnt use my same 3 modem with a voda/ t mob sim card instead? can they be unlocked like phones? everything else about the service seems the same as a payg phone!

amcluesent

So the provider have their own base-stations, Vodafone probably have the widest coverage outside of main cities.

>can they be unlocked like phones<

My laptop has a HSPDA card from Sierra Wireless beside which is a standard SIM card slot which can take any SIM. For USB dongles, I can't see how you can change the SIM...

chris667

You can unlock your modem, and put any SIM you like in it. Check your agreement with 3 first though.
I'm on a boat and travelling so this is important to me. From having asked many people about which network they use, the best advice I can get is sometimes one works better than the others.
Oh, one other thing - read the fair usage contracts. A month's fair usage on some can be 50MB!
When will the phone companies be honest about this?

want2bmortgage3

does anyone know can you buy the sim cards for mobile broadband without having to buy a modem ?? ?

Aiadi

chris667 wrote: »

Oh, one other thing - read the fair usage contracts. A month's fair usage on some can be 50MB!
When will the phone companies be honest about this?

The OP is using PAYG which circumvent this problem as you only get what you paid for (e.g Three charges £10 for 1GB of usage) and you can't get charged more once your credit runs out.

chris667

Aiadi wrote: »

The OP is using PAYG which circumvent this problem as you only get what you paid for (e.g Three charges £10 for 1GB of usage) and you can't get charged more once your credit runs out.

Yes, but not if they switch to something else;)

El_mag

chris667 wrote: »

Yes, but not if they switch to something else;)

Hi,
Could you qualify what you mean by this statement, as I am about to purchase a Pay as you go Mobile Broadband with 3.

Thanks,

El

chris667

If you are using pay as you go mobile internet, you will be charged whatever it costs.
The OP was talking about switching to a new service. I have no idea if they meant Payg. And there is one product I know of that advertises unlimited broadband access, which if you read the small print is actually 50MB.
Reading the 3 mobile t&cs, you buy a top up and activate a bundle. The only thing that might trip you up is if you go out of your of your allowance. Data transfer if you don't have the bundle activated is £1 per MB, so will eat through your balance in seconds.
I still reckon it's the way to go.

d123

Once the modem is unlocked it will work with any sim, the other Networks don't have a specific "broadband" sim, (on Orange you would need a 3G enabled sim).

T-Mobile has a pretty reliable data service, I use web n walk which offers 1gb or 3gb per month with my N95-8GB phone, the signal is good (for me), and I have yet to be billed incorrectly. Even if you do go over the limit, they don't charge for the additional use, they say they will ask you to curb your usage in the future.

The other Networks are a little sneaky, their "unlimited" usage is only around 200mb.

El_mag

Thanks for your reply Chris.

Yes you can unlock USB modems.
I used https://www.Kulankendi.com and it cost 15 euros.

hope it helps

El