Vodafone Vodem stick vs Telecom T-stick

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nocamz

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#32890 26-Apr-2009 15:52

i have tried to search this and only found topics from 2006

I am looking to change to mobile broadband and im currently with Vodafone for my mobile and im wondering which mobile broadband to choose.

Three of my local Vodafone stores were hopeless and haven't been able to give me any technical information on the mobile broadband, future upgrades and one Vodafone store even suggested to me to go with the telecom t-stick.

I want to use this as my everyday broadband on my toshiba laptop which i use for personal and business use, and want to use this all over the country at the best possible speed. But i don't want to sign to a plan and then find out its crap and ive heard so many mixed reactions.

is it better to have a pc card type, rather than a usb type stick?

is there any speed difference between a pc card and the usb stick?

which provider is best for speed and overall coverage?

Is there any major changes or upgrades for either two in the near future?

Tzleren

30 posts

Geek

#209509 26-Apr-2009 17:36

There shouldn't be any difference between the pcimia and the usb stick in terms of speed. You might want to wait for Telecoms 3g network.

johnr

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#209510 26-Apr-2009 17:48

nocamz:
Three of my local Vodafone stores were hopeless and?haven't?been able to give me any technical information on the mobile broadband, future upgrades and one Vodafone store even suggested to me to go with the telecom t-stick.

How can you expect someone working in a shop selling mobile phones to know future deployment plans very unfair to call them useless!

John

Decimate

120 posts

Master Geek

#209515 26-Apr-2009 18:09

which provider is best for speed and overall coverage?

- Overall, Telecom. Ask pretty much anyone who has used both of these providers for mobile data (I have) Telecom is consistantly faster, more stable and has a wider 3g (EVDO & EVDO Rev A) footprint.

Is there any major changes or upgrades for either two in the near future?

-For Telecoms current CDMA offering, nil, however their new network launching soon will start with HSPA and will be upgraded to HSPA+ starting later this year.

Vodafone afaik are upgrading to offer similar 3G coverage as Telecom within the next month.

In saying that, Vodafones current promotion , free Vodem and 1/2 price for 6 months is certainly cheaper as Telecom don't have any promos running at the moment.

They also have a 3GB plan which Telecom do not so depends how much you want to use.

If its not super-urgent, try holding off until late May and see what the XT network has to offer.

freitasm

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#209519 26-Apr-2009 18:27

johnr:
How can you expect someone working in a shop selling mobile phones to know future deployment plans very unfair to call them useless!

I think it is fair. The staff should be knowledgeable and tell the customer that:

1.Vodafone is rolling out 900 MHz WCDMA to extend their 3G coverage
2.Most current handsets are 2100MHz WCDMA which means will only work in main centres
3.Make sure you get a 900MHz/2100MHz handsets or vodem new generation to be able to use Vodafone 3G everywhere where it is available
4.Telecom is coming with a 850MHz WCDMA network called XT network and it will have a single frequency coverage everwhere
5.Telecom new network should be live for customes in June, rumours are it could be May

In any way wait and see. Unless you need a solution THIS WEEK I wouldn't recommend signing a contract with any telco.

See? This is not asking much...

nocamz

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#209567 26-Apr-2009 20:30

johnr:
How can you expect someone working in a shop selling mobile phones to know future deployment plans very unfair to call them useless!

John

I went into three vodafone stores and asked for basic info on the new usb vodem mainly because i read that the old usb vodem was allot slower than the early pc cards at the time and people had problems with them. All 3 just handed me a phamplet on mobile broadband and didn't know anything else about it.

one store didn't even have the usb vodem on display and when i asked what it looked like, they couldn't find one.

i asked if they knew of any network upgrades in my area as phone reception and 3g coverage is a bit strange at the best of times and i live only 3 minutes drive from manukau city centre. All 3 couldn't answer any questions

i asked all 3 vodafone stores what happens if im not happy with the service, can i cancel the contract within 30 days like telecom. Two said no vodafone cant do that at all, and one said they might be able to give me 7 days.

i also asked if the vodafone usb vodem stick or any pc card had provision for a external aerial to boost reception like the telecom models and they all looked at me sideways .

i am happy to wait and the telecom store i visited was very helpfull and answered all technical info and suggested i wait till late next month, rather than just trying to make the sale.

johnr

19282 posts

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#209568 26-Apr-2009 20:38

freitasm:
johnr:
How can you expect someone working in a shop selling mobile phones to know future deployment plans very unfair to call them useless!

I think it is fair. The staff should be knowledgeable and tell the customer that:

1.Vodafone is rolling out 900 MHz WCDMA to extend their 3G coverage
2.Most current handsets are 2100MHz WCDMA which means will only work in main centres
3.Make sure you get a 900MHz/2100MHz handsets or vodem new generation to be able to use Vodafone 3G everywhere where it is available
4.Telecom is coming with a 850MHz WCDMA network called XT network and it will have a single frequency coverage everwhere
5.Telecom new network should be live for customes in June, rumours are it could be May

In any way wait and see. Unless you need a solution THIS WEEK I wouldn't recommend signing a contract with any telco.

See? This is not asking much...

I read the question as future upgrades not whats current in the market place now

John

nate

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#209573 26-Apr-2009 20:58

nocamz: I am looking to change to mobile broadband and im currently with Vodafone for my mobile and im wondering which mobile broadband to choose.

I have a mobile connect card which I put into my laptop, it's small form factor makes it barely noticeable sticking out the side of my laptop. I'm not sure if a USB based card would give me better reception, I haven't got one to compare. Ideally I'd like to get an integrated module installed into my laptop so it's always there if I need it.

I'm with Vodafone on the 1Gb plan, I've noticed lately that I'm getting 3G coverage in a lot more places than before. I can't make a comparison with a Telecom mobile broadband as I've never used it.

My advice would be unless you are in a major rush, I would hold off until the XT Network mobile broadband comes out. Both providers will be gunning for your business, so you may get a better deal then.