GPRS overseas

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markwolk

101 posts

Master Geek

#1256 22-Mar-2004 20:36

Hello there, my first message on this forum. I am about to leave for Europe (Italy, France, Switzerland and Germany) on a 2-month business trip and have asked Vodafone about GPRS rates. It turns out to be $30 per MB. Given that last month I used 50MB in New Zealand just retrieving and sending my emails, that means I would spend $1,500 overseas for the same results... A bit surrealistic... Does anyone know of prepaid cards in these countries that would allow GPRS at cheaoper rates, or am I condemned to use dialup?

freitasm

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#4376 22-Mar-2004 21:02

It's interesting to see this kind of prices when we know that T-Mobile in the US charge US$19.95 for all GPRS you can have in a month...

I don't know of many pre-paid contracts that will allow GPRS in Europe, if any.

Last time I went overseas I bought myself a wi-fi card for NZ$100 and used in the US. Faster, cheaper (sometimes even free). But this is only good if you have a laptop on you, of course. Or if you have a wi-fi enabled Pocket PC or Palm.

markwolk

101 posts

Master Geek

#4378 23-Mar-2004 08:56

Thanks for the remarks. Wi-Fi is an interesting option. I do have a Wi-Fi enabled laptop (Sony Vaio). How do I connect? Where do I subscribe?

freitasm

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#4384 23-Mar-2004 11:27

This is the catch. GPRS will be more widely available, at a cost. Wi-Fi will be available in cafes, libraries, airports. You'll probably be able to sign up on the spot.

In general you start your laptop or Pocket PC, try to connect to an access point. It'll then ask for user name and password, if you don't have you'll be given the option to buy some time or traffic. some will require you to sign up in advance, others will allow on the spot.

Because wi-fi is not readily available everywhere I'd use it as a primary connection, but having the GPRS as a backup. Also I'd suggest using browser based access instead of a client like MS Outlook. This way you can read the subjects and senders without having to download the full message.

markwolk

101 posts

Master Geek

#4387 23-Mar-2004 19:57

It looks like I will have to use good old CompuServe via dialup on my mobile phone or hotel phone. They have access numbers in all coutries I visit. 2nd choice will be Xtra's globile roaming. Thanks for all your advice.

freitasm

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#4408 24-Mar-2004 08:13

Roaming GPRS at $30 per MB is not cheap, when he can access local phone numbers on a hotel landline via Compuserve access numbers (they're everywhere in Europe and US).

Roaming GPRS is only cheaper if he plans to use mobile dial-up. Then I agree.

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#4410 24-Mar-2004 08:20

56kbps on landlines.

freitasm

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#4414 24-Mar-2004 08:51

It's a landline. It's POTS. It's time based.

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#4416 24-Mar-2004 08:55

Look, I know where you're trying to go. But landlines are very cheap (sometimes even free for local calls, like here in New Zealand) and available everywhere.

If he finds a free landline, there's no way GPRS @ $30/MB will beat the deal...

sbiddle

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#4424 24-Mar-2004 18:10

Check out Boingo wireless, www.boingo.com
They have thousands of Wifi hotspots around the world incl Italy and France. Looking at the website their current deal is US$21.95 per month for unlimited access with no tern or contract.

markwolk

101 posts

Master Geek

#4432 25-Mar-2004 15:38

Hmmmm... boingo... not as nice as it looks. Only 3 spots in Italy, 5 in France... too poor for the time being.

vkchawla

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#4700 10-Apr-2004 00:27

HI Folks

I am facing a similar problem. I am trying to browse Internet using a GPRS enabled PCMCIA card which has a pocket to hold the mobile phone sim. The sim I am using is from Airtel India. I have not been able to connect till now. I have been able to configuer the PCMCIA card and have enterred the *99***1# number in place of phone nos. It asks for APN Settings. The service provider i.e Airtel are unable to answer this. Neither do I have any user name and passwords.

I am planning for a trip to US, Japan and UK sometime end of the month, so thought having GPRS would be better.

I have tried to use the card both on IBM p3 and Sony vio laptop that I have, but no success.

Appreciate a solution from your end.

AndreA

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#5949 21-May-2004 10:02

In Italy you can use the Unlimited GPRS by Wind (www.wind.it) for 19?/month

kiwisteve

129 posts

Master Geek

#5953 21-May-2004 11:33

Might be worth getting a WIND Prpeaid SIM in Italy !

GSM-CardPhone@web.de

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#6806 24-Jun-2004 03:41

dial up germany

Deutschland
+49177123999
User name: eplus
Password: wap
----------------------------------
+493515001000
User name:otelo
Password:online
------------------------------------
Österreich
+43664684000
User name: ppp@a1plus.at
Password: web
------------------------------------
What is GPRS?

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/handphones/0,39001719,39060160,00.htm

AndreA

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#6880 27-Jun-2004 22:38

What is GPRS? Read here -> http://www.gsmworld.com/technology/gprs/intro.shtml