Mobile broadband option for UK/Europe

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imd6662

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#59441 6-Apr-2010 13:23

(Not sure if this is THE right forum, but let's see).

What's the best (most cost-effective) was to get mobile internet access for my netbook in (mainly) UK, but also Europe?

Use a Vodafone Mobile Broadband device? Buy a UK version in UK?

Other options?

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#315317 6-Apr-2010 13:48

Any device you buy in NZ will work in the UK and Europe. You do need to realise however that there isn't nationwide 3G like we have here in NZ. While you'll get 3G in major towns and cities you'll get GPRS in most rural areas.

I assume you're going to buy a SIM over there - just be aware there is no cheap way of roaming around Europe, you're going to be stung using any SIM in another country. The cheapest way to get internet while travelling is WiFi.

NonprayingMantis

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#315321 6-Apr-2010 13:53

wifi hotspots are pretty much everywhere in western europe, so shouldn't be any problems there.

I remmeber voda uk last year did some promo where calling rates roaming in europe was the same as national caling rates. might be worht investigating if they do a similar data promo. you could then buy a UK sim and get reasonable data rates throughout europe.

Behodar

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#315360 6-Apr-2010 15:32

If you'll just be using it casually then you might have some luck with 3; you get 150 MB free with each topup. More details here. I can't vouch for coverage or anything though as I haven't used this service.

sbiddle

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#315366 6-Apr-2010 15:49

NonprayingMantis: wifi hotspots are pretty much everywhere in western europe, so shouldn't be any problems there.

I remmeber voda uk last year did some promo where calling rates roaming in europe was the same as national caling rates. might be worht investigating if they do a similar data promo. you could then buy a UK sim and get reasonable data rates throughout europe.

The deal did not include data.

VF UK's global data roaming rates aren't too bad and are unchanged from when I was there last year. £4.99 per 25MB (the first 1MB costs 4.99 and the next 23 are free) if you're in Europe and £14.99 per 25MB (the first 3MB costs 14.99 and the next 22 are free) across most networks in the rest of the world.

It really is a shame we don't have data rates like that here.

imd6662

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#317310 12-Apr-2010 13:20

OK. Dumb question follows: Do the Vodafone mobile connect thingies have a SIM card in then which can be replaced with a local UK one (or vice versa if I visit Tesco)

sbiddle

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#317328 12-Apr-2010 13:56

imd6662: OK. Dumb question follows: Do the Vodafone mobile connect thingies have a SIM card in then which can be replaced with a local UK one (or vice versa if I visit Tesco)

Yes.

If you buy a device in the UK (or anywhere in Europe) it'll possibly be SIM locked to the particular network you buy it with so won't necessarily work with the SIM from another network.

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imd6662

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#318297 14-Apr-2010 11:53

Hurrah for open standards interconnect and globalisation, say I.

muppet

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#318303 14-Apr-2010 11:57

Buy a modem here in NZ you know is unlocked.

Over there, buy one of the prepaid data bundles that many provide, just be sure you get the deal where they don't chuck in a modem (usually a crappy USB stick thing) for 50 pounds.

Mobile data is really good there, I used to have 3G a month (or maybe it was 5?) for 15 pounds.

I can recommend T-Mobile as that's who I was with, but they're all just as good (bad) as each other.

imd6662

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#326001 3-May-2010 12:57

Thanks esp sbiddle and muppet for good advice.

Can;t see any SIM-only data deals on eithere Vodafone or TMobile UK sites. So what should I specifically ask for?

Ta

imd6662

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#326445 4-May-2010 13:05

Are all Vodafone USB modems sold in NZ unlocked?

Just bought one at The Warehouse and was warned by the assistant that it might be locked. I understood none of the Vodafone kit in NZ is locked? Checking with another Vodafone shop (reseller) confirmed that they are not locked but also opined that it still wouldn't work overseas with an overseas SIM card!

Anyone have any definitive information about this? How do you tell if the modem is locked or not? (Other than moving to another country and trying a local SIM card, ideally).

johnr

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#326449 4-May-2010 13:14

imd6662: Are all Vodafone USB modems sold in NZ unlocked?

All devices Vodafone NZ sell are NOT SIM locked including the iphone

The person in the shop did not know what they are talking about

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imd6662

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#326466 4-May-2010 13:54

Thanks John... that sounds about right.

I gather from reading here and on Vodafone's forum that there could be other software issues to content with too though.

johnr

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#326468 4-May-2010 14:00

imd6662: Thanks John... that sounds about right.

I gather from reading here and on Vodafone's forum that there could be other software issues to content with too though.

Just change the APN for the carrier you will be trying to conect to

John

openmedia

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#326473 4-May-2010 14:09

I have a USB Modem from 3 in the UK as they were doing some crazy deals last year and the device was easy to unlock. Only problem is for 3g it is 2100 only. Some of the cheaper Vodafone NZ sticks are also 2100 3G, but 900/2100 GSM.

If you are going to get a modem here I'd check what frequencies it supports.

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imd6662

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#326481 4-May-2010 14:35

Wow. This is fun... How on earth do they make this stuff so complicated.

What is an APN?

How do you find out what frequencies are used where?

good grief.

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