hotdog Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Okay folks, I'm going to need to start using my laptop more and more on site (building site!) the majority of which don't have a fixed phoneline to access the internet and email. I'm thinking about getting a 3G datacard, but is this best option? Advice and opinions greatly appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 A few opinions discussed here I still rate my Voda 3G card very highly, works well in UK and France and very rarely drops down to GPRS - I think its done it twice. I'm on the 75mb inclusive package and have only incurred extra cost when roaming abroad - it gets used probably 2 or 3 times a week to collect some emails when at clients, use messenger and surf TSN when taking a break Let me know if you have any questions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Bazza, do you have the 3G coverage map for France? Need to check for LM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted May 22, 2005 Report Share Posted May 22, 2005 Here's the SFR 3G coverage map - link. The Orange France one looks a little thinner on the ground but I couldn't make the link work so here's a pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotdog Posted May 22, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 22, 2005 Cheers Bazza! I'll be having a look at all the networks offers. I'm on orange for voice calls, but their network coverage can be a bit hit and miss sometimes. A least its simple to operate. After the fannying around I had setting up my home network, I don't need aggro with this!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted May 22, 2005 Report Share Posted May 22, 2005 Bazza, is the SFR the network that Vodafone 3G's roam on to ? Coverage in France looks as sketchy as the UK ! G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCab Posted May 23, 2005 Report Share Posted May 23, 2005 Hopsta - yes. On another topic. Big reason to avoid Vodafone, unless all providers do this: I dislike (on principle) the fact that Vodafone charges you a full tariff based on 3G Mb, and then charges EXTRA if you use GPRS. I've had months when I've been way below my Mb allowance on 3G, but ended up paying *more* than my scheduled monthly bill because I had bad reception and had to use GPRS for 10 days. Shockingly, this applies even if the reason is not just geography but also equipment failure at Vodafone's end - the 10 days were because they lost a transmitter. Surely, given that 3G is faster, you would only be using GPRS if Vodafone was not delivering your preferred service, THEY owe YOU compensation (or at least cost neutrality) rather than expecting to pay extra for the privilege ? It happens to me more than to bazza, because I work in hospitals that have dodgy reception for 3G in some areas. How would you react if a train company not only cancelled your commuter train and put you on a replacement bus service which took 50% longer, but then nonchalantly said "oh, of course your bus fare is not included in your rail season ticket" ? If Orange do better than this, I'm quite prepared to switch - please let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted May 23, 2005 Report Share Posted May 23, 2005 yup - as the man says, SFR are the prefered Voda roaming partner in France - the assisted roaming app on the Voda (u)sim tries to make sure you're on it most of the time regarding your point on charging Gcab - Are you sure thats the case ? My 75mb a month is based on 3G or if 3G is not available - GPRS. I don't get charged extra I just have less 3G MB's available when I camp back to 3G again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopsta Posted May 23, 2005 Report Share Posted May 23, 2005 Thanks for the info lads, just may need to use it as a backup for work incase the poo hits the fan as it were. Pretty sure we have the 75Mb contracts too so with any luck I wont have teh GPRS charges GCab incurs, then again.. company is paying..who cares GC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotdog Posted May 23, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2005 looks like 3G isn't as good as its cracked up to be. I looked at orange and the card is £200 depending on tariff!! Then there's the monthly charge. Think I'll be sticking to getting a data lead and GRPS for the time being until costs come WAY down. Thanks for the info gang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GCab Posted May 24, 2005 Report Share Posted May 24, 2005 Interesting. I got something ridiculous like a 400 Mb tariff (pay for 200Mb but it got doubled for free for a year if I signed up when they first came out). Sounds like I may have got screwed on the GPRS-inclusive aspect, if they brought that in later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotdog Posted May 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 the costs do seem to very high at the moment. I realise that its a new concept, but you would of thought the mobile phone companies would offer a decent deal to get people on board I won,t be down loading massive amounts of data, might have to go back to GRPS and a data lead from the phone. My laptop has a wireless unit built in, trouble there's not that many "hotspots" around!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apreading Posted May 25, 2005 Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 Can you get pay as you go PCMCIA cards for sensible money on 3G? Thinking of getting one for a laptop at work and whenever someone is on holiday they just take the laptop with them. Hopefully we would almost never need to use it - hence not keen on monthly bills... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotdog Posted May 25, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2005 I think the short answer is no!! I know Orange do a pay as you go card for 3G, but I think the initial cost is £300!! Daylight robbery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
apreading Posted May 26, 2005 Report Share Posted May 26, 2005 Bummer - guess we will just have to find the cheapest monthly deal then, and have a think about it... Thanks for at least saving me the hassle of trying to hunt a deal down which isnt there to be had! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bazza_g Posted June 1, 2005 Report Share Posted June 1, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Can you get pay as you go PCMCIA cards for sensible money on 3G? Thinking of getting one for a laptop at work and whenever someone is on holiday they just take the laptop with them. Hopefully we would almost never need to use it - hence not keen on monthly bills... [/ QUOTE ] There is the option that avoids the need to have a 3G datacard from Voda. You could sign up with Voda for a 3G phone, use it as a phone for the majority of the time (cheapish voice offer) then, because of Voda's open net access policy, use it as a 3G modem in conjunction with your laptop as and when you need it A downside is that the price per MB goes up as you're no longer on a data only tariff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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