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best deal mobile 3G data card?

7 replies · 9,470 views · Started 27 January 2008

Liam548 27 Jan 2008, 01:33

I know someone who wants broadband speeds but cannot get it via landline. Whats the best value 3G data card out there at the moment?

Liam

bartmanekul 27 Jan 2008, 10:25

First, Id get some PAYG sim cards, or friends on whatever network then check if you can get 3G. The coverage maps on the networks home pages are not to be trusted.

No matter how good a deal you get, its going to blow if you can only get GPRS.

Steve_R 27 Jan 2008, 10:33

I've been lookin for a sim free one for a while now, and they are pricey little blighters!

I'm just tethering my N95 until I find a cheaper one.

Liam548 27 Jan 2008, 14:13

Steve_R wrote:I've been lookin for a sim free one for a while now, and they are pricey little blighters!

I'm just tethering my N95 until I find a cheaper one.

how do you mean, all networks do these dongles and charge around �20 a pmonth for internet access?

leoni1980 06 Mar 2008, 22:46

Are we talking about UK networks? Most UK networks offer unlimited internet bundles with a dongle for around �15 on a 24 month contract. I'd say T-Mobile is the best for the simple reason that they don't charge per megabyte if you go over their fair usage policy, as I know 3 and Orange do. They also have very good 3G/HSDPA coverage throughout the country. Not so sure about Vodafone's fair usage system but I know their coverage is also very good

Mariajohn 26 Nov 2008, 10:19

vodafone do �30 a month 250 megs or �50 a month and 1gb a month. I don't think anynetwork does unlimited. I think vodafone have the best 3g coverage too.

leoni1980 26 Nov 2008, 11:58

Mariajohn wrote:vodafone do �30 a month 250 megs or �50 a month and 1gb a month. I don't think anynetwork does unlimited. I think vodafone have the best 3g coverage too.

Are you sure that's right? That seems ridiculously expensive.

In terms of GSM coverage Vodafone have always been touted as the best, but technically they are in joint third place in terms of their UTMS (3G) coverage -pipped by Hutchinson 3G and Orange (believe it or not). T-Mobile are on a par with Vodafone.

o2 have by far the worst coverage of all the 3G networks, though inevitably your location has a big impact on the quality of your signal.

Just an aside, 3 actually do a 3G datacard router,allowing you to share your 3g data account around the house. Personally I wouldnt want to do this, and I'm happy with my T-Mobile service for now.