Hi all,

Last night highlighted my almost total reliance on internet access while away from home...

As such I nipped into vodaphone and enquired about the mobile cards.

Basically I want mobile access from laptop(s) when out an about, the 250 mb tarrif should suffice given it's a fair rate and not much more than buying the card out right for payg...

So does anybody have some cracking deals they know about or some contacts to talk to etc...

Or other options like phones that actually give laptops and pda's effective 3g access and fair data rates...bit of a mind field.

Also interested in coverage, always loved voda's coverage, is there's the best 3g?

I understand out of 3g corridors I'll drop to 2.5g or gprs, is gprs 2.5g? heck so long as it works and I can transfer small files I don't care...

Thanks in advance,

Colin.

Colin, yes GPRS is 2.5G, although EGPRS (a.k.a. EDGE) is yet another improvement. Still a long way off 3G data rates though, at least until things like HSDPA come along. I work in the business (as a techy) and I think Voda's services are pretty good. I've worked on a combined 3G/GPRS datacard that they sell, and it was reviewed pretty well. Can't comment on any deals at the moment though.

As for competition, I'm not sure whether the "3" network is comprehensive enough yet - last I heard they were still piggy-backing on O2's 2G infrastructure for voice calls when their own 3G coverage was not sufficient.

O2's "i-mode" stuff might be worth investigating though - it's a protocol that originated in the Far East. Availability might be limited right now though.

Cheers,

Si.

P.S. Vodafone. Sought. 'Nuff said

...

Also interested in coverage' date=' always loved voda's coverage, is there's the best 3g?

...[/quote']

Basically yes, at least they were a few months ago. But the thing with 3G is nobody's coverage is ubiquitous yet. What about WLAN, available in service stations/hotels/coffee shops etc and rapidly multiplying (because they are cheap to slap down and you don't have to spend £bn's on a licence first)? Think a few of the mobile operators do standard data tariffs across whatever air interface you choose.

EDGE will never come to the UK IMHO because all the existing operators have already bought UMTS licences which need to be leveraged and the market is too competitive for any new operators to enter, though it probably would have made a perfectly acceptable alternative for most customers. Everyone is busy deploying HSDPA right now though.

Hi, I'm mobile communications product and service specialist but I do not work at a retail store.

If you just want frequent data access then a Vodafone 3G mobile connect data card will suit you. Many of the current 3G handsets also allow you to use them as a modem and connect via your PC. This has many benefits in terms of a single device but is more complex to configure (bluetooth/cable) and manage. Since it also comes off the same bill as the phone you may want to buy a 'data bundle' to reduce costs.

Both methods will give you reliable Internet access - I am using slow 2G data speeds (45kbps) to access this site right now. Sure, it's slow but you soon learn how to browse and e-mail in a way that works. Using Firefox and multiple browser windows helps immensely.

Don't get me started on the major muck up the mobile operators made in skipping GPRS EDGE.

Don't expect good datarates with 3G whilst moving. Used to work for a company specialising in telco protocol decodes. In our experiances GPRS EDGE outperforms 3G when the communications device is moving.

EDGE will never come to the UK IMHO

Vodafone have a test EDGE network in Southampton.

Orange have already deployed it live in France, and AFAIK, are likely to bring it to the UK.

Si

The Vodafone data card will also, IIRC, connect to Wi-Fi networks in range.

Vodafone have a test EDGE network in Southampton.

Orange have already deployed it live in France' date=' and AFAIK, are likely to bring it to the UK.

Si[/quote']

Yep I know it is available in France and other countries but in the UK, Orange (and everyone else) have invested far too much in UMTS to offer EDGE as an alternative at this point IMO

Out of interest from your original post, is there such a thing as HSDPA for EDGE?

The Vodafone data card will also, IIRC, connect to Wi-Fi networks in range.

Yep and they were giving them away free, I'll see if I can still find the details Colin.

I think you will find that Orange have launched EDGE in the UK...and they plan to have a larger coverage by the end of the year. Obviously its only in bigger city centres at the moment!

http://www.laptopsdirect.co.uk/asp/free-vodafone.htm

http://vodafone.misco.co.uk/3G-Data-card/

http://uk.insight.com/static/specials/vodafone.php

It says you need to have recently purchased an intel laptop - just use your imagination or PM me.

I think you will find that Orange have launched EDGE in the UK...and they plan to have a larger coverage by the end of the year. Obviously its only in bigger city centres at the moment!

Are you sure about that - I'm really curious now because surely EDGE is inferior (at least, less marketable ) to 3G, they have spent

I am sure I work for them! I think the idea is that you fallback onto the EDGE network if you leave a 3G area, o the service isnt interrupted as much.

http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news2135.html for example

I am sure I work for them!

Well then I concede

What's the benefit - roaming customers? Or do you not have to go to the cells to upgrade them, so it's cheap? Or have a common GGSN/SGSN/whatever it is procurement deal with France so the switches are already EDGE capable anyway?

As posted above :

I think the idea is that you fallback onto the EDGE network if you leave a 3G area, so the service isnt interrupted as much.

http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news2135.html for example

I cant say this for sure but I'm pretty certain its just a simple upgrade on the cells

didnt see this link in there lol http://www.orangepartner.com/site/enuk/news/press/p_edge_launch.jsp explains all I feel