Mobile Broadband costs less than you think.

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › Mobile Broadband costs less than you think.

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#32769 11-Apr-2006 02:04

Thats why I went "open term" no hitch, no catch.
The other major factor is Telecom's data plan pricing does not include WAP usage, instead charged at $50 a megabyte! Telecom's handsets are typically harder to connect and much more "locked down" so I can't go on those "free" ringtone downloading sprees and also vodafone has a switchable SImcard which is swappable between phones and data devices with ease. plus the true "3g" handsets are only the harrier, apache and some new sanyo. I would prefer BIG data on a slimmish handset rather than lugging about a good, but rather heavy "brick" when I could pop open my Panasonic VS2 and quickly check email (Gmail mini is GREAT!)

Plus all my high-end Equipment is GSM based, (i-mate, 3gphone, numerous other semi-capable phones)

Telecom's network is indeed faster and had better "3G" footprint so i'm keen to see their offering.
(when I find a harrier that's not completely stuffed!) I sent two back on trademe a few months back as they were pretty well past the use-by.

stability you say!!!! ANYTHING is better than woosh which is inherently what's it's replacing!

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#32771 11-Apr-2006 06:47

paradoxsm: Thats why I went "open term" no hitch, no catch.
The other major factor is Telecom's data plan pricing does not include WAP usage, instead charged at $50 a megabyte!

Just be aware that Vodafone's WAP usage is only included up until you exceed your data cap (no matter which plan you are on). After that you will pay a higher rate than your data overusage for WAP usage - ie $6 per MB on most plans.

nzdn

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#32826 11-Apr-2006 21:25

How's Vodafone on the ol boring index now, then? Can someone call TelstraClear boring too, just to see what they do?

paradoxsm

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#32827 11-Apr-2006 21:40

<Quote>
Just be aware that Vodafone's WAP usage is only included up until you exceed your data cap (no matter which plan you are on). After that you will pay a higher rate than your data overusage for WAP usage - ie $6 per MB on most plans.
<quote/>

Hmmm. interesting.. Still far better than $50 a meg though..

My download speeds over UMTS are pretty much in the range of 260 - 332 Kbps, I'm pretty pleased with it. (384k MAX)

GPRS is maxing at 37Kbps, slow but not as bad as some make it out.
Though I managed to stream BFM's 32Kbps audio stream over GPRS on my aging i-mate PocketPC last night. the latency was something terrible and it chopped a bit, but played on for a minute before cutting out. GPRS is very good on battery when idle I have discovered, it's only an intermittant connection.

Even UMTS battery life is much, much better than woosh, the battery in Woosh modems never quite worked well.

Here is the "modem", still screenless but cased back up.
Unusable as a phone (still makes and takes calls but)

(Shown to scale)
MotoModem

Motorola 3g phone
WOOSH!

Woosh IPwireless modem.

Lipex666

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#32828 11-Apr-2006 21:43

What about this Elan Digital Systems U132 USB Adapter for CardBus 3G Cards

No need for a laptop or a Linksys WRT54G3G 3G/UMTS Wireless Router will work with the new Vodafone Vodafone Huawei E618 3G data card but the current offer a card is free.

Use your PC at home!

Take your 3G wireless internet access anywhere using the U132!

This USB adapter allows the use of a wide number of high speed datacards via a USB port enabling these PC cards to be used with a desktop or laptop without a CardBus slot.

The U132 is ideal for customers who live in an area without high speed wired internet access, or whose laptop does not offer a PCMCIA/CardBus slot, such as the new Dell latitude X1 models. The adapter is compatible with desktops, notebooks or specialist systems (such as Point of Sale machines).

(I dont work for these guys or recomend this just looks like another solution)

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paradoxsm

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#32829 11-Apr-2006 21:51

$A329 bucks though.. Ow... and the Little blurb at the bottom, Means it won't take my 4MB card from my 1997 Kodak DC20 Digital camera :-(

"Please note that the unique hardware design of the U132 has been developed especially for this type of wireless modems, so other card types are not supported. The U132 does not support memory cards."

I have a few PCI-PCMCIA adaptors floating about, positioning is bad (back of PC) but should still work, I have one shoved in the back of my PC now with a WiFi card in it. (tidyest way to do it really)

I got 4 of these PCI-PCMCIA adaptors with Wireless cards for $86 bucks off trademe (2 x Nokia b cards and 2x D-Link G cards.)

Cool idea though Lipex666! I might look at that datacard now!

Lipex666

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#32831 11-Apr-2006 22:10

I saw saw this why searching fier the new voda cards.

I thought that to rather pricey but a least food for thought that someone that has a pc.

I will go and have a looked up PCI-PCMCIA adaptors as you said there must be cheaper ones around.

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Lipex666

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#32834 11-Apr-2006 22:17

Gee this gets better and better Digitus 10/100 MBPS Fast Ethernet PCMCIA Adapter Online Price (incl. GST): $43.55

1 X RJ45 (STP) port.
32-bit PC card compatible (DN2002
16-bit PCMCIA type 11 compatible.(DN2003)
20/200 Mbit full duplex.
Automatic speed detection Ethernet / Fast Ethernet.
Internal 64 KB RAM data buffer.
LED display for connection, activity, collision, full duplex, 10/100 Mbit.
FCC, CE compliance.
Suitable for all typical network environments.

Looks like lots of options to get your desktop pc connected

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tims

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#32970 13-Apr-2006 18:06

SNicolle: does it have to be a VMC connection, why not a 3g handset that you can connect to your pc/laptop and use as a modem?
I suppose to an extent you drift into you choose! territory but a1gb for 50+gst and a calling plan would make a very handy phone deal

Hi

I live in a rural area quite a few km's away from my exchange and ISP's I have contacted advise my broadband connection may or may not work adequately so this offer looks good but I have a few basic questions. Can I use the handset to plug into my desktop? Would the cable (from the handset) plug directly into a usb port and and I would need software to make it work?

thanks

Tim

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#32971 13-Apr-2006 18:31

tims: I live in a rural area quite a few km's away from my exchange and ISP's I have contacted advise my broadband connection may or may not work adequately so this offer looks good but I have a few basic questions. Can I use the handset to plug into my desktop? Would the cable (from the handset) plug directly into a usb port and and I would need software to make it work?

Depending on what make/model is your phone. and not all lower/cheaper vodafone 3G phones are data capable.

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#32977 13-Apr-2006 20:34

not forgetting of course that if you are in a rural area where DSL is a dubious option, then 3G coverage is proabably just as limited

Torque

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#33333 18-Apr-2006 21:10

mmmmm this would go well with my new laptop - Toshiba A30.

However, I see in another thread that Vodafone is bringing out a new Huawei E618 3G data card - would this make any difference compared to vodafones current card?

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#33452 20-Apr-2006 08:01

do you think if one can get this plan through TelstraClear? i don't find the new pricing/promo with TelstraClear.

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#33477 20-Apr-2006 11:26

Just got on the phone with TCL's mobile team, and ordered the 3G VMC and 1GB 24-months plan through them. Should be here sometimes next week :-D

Woohoo....

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Torque

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#33534 21-Apr-2006 01:59

Can I ask why you chose TCL instead of vodafone directly?

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