mobile broadband - tethered phone vs usb stick

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#744268 13-Jan-2013 21:46

coffeebaron: Speedtest now in rural South Waikato - Putaruru:

This is done on Vodafone and no way Putaruru is a city

nitrotech

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#744295 13-Jan-2013 22:20

johnr:
nitrotech:
johnr: K4605 is a Dual carrier USB modem

Do you think it's worth DC - he says he's rural I imagine your DC upgrade will be cities first then rural?

I haven't come across and DC sites yet (but quite happy with HSPA speeds) - other than speed tests does it make a real world difference to general browsing?

Many rural sites are DC and have been for quite a while

Good to hear, no doubt the speed is impressive but realistically 500mb of data could be sucked up in 2.5 minutes I'm still yet to see the benefit with the small MBB data caps - sounds like we might need 100gb plans soon.

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#744343 14-Jan-2013 07:54

sadly mine looks like this on a good day. also done with vodafone

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#744350 14-Jan-2013 08:12

On what device? looks like it has no HSUPA support let alone dual carrier

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#744352 14-Jan-2013 08:28

mmm good point. done with my LG P500 cell phone

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#744354 14-Jan-2013 08:42

steadysteve: the wireless 3G router does sound like an excellent option. i'm guessing it has built-in 3G signal boosting capabilties? is it possible to run network cable from the router to the computer, rather than use it wirelessly?

Back on topic... There are different 3G routers - some have 3G builtin, some use a USB modem, some have ethernet port, some are wireless only.

If you get one with ethernet port you might still find the best location for signal, then run an ethernet cable from the router to a better distribution point in the house and then attach a switch at the end so you can have more than one device attached.

In any case having wireless is a plus because other devices can use the resource around the area.

Remember as in everything mobile these days more active users on the cell site reduce the bandwidth available to everyone so current speeds don't necessarily mean they last forever.

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#744396 14-Jan-2013 10:36

The p500 is a 7.2mbit hsdpa device with no hsupa support. You'd be hard pressed to ever see more than 4mbit in ideal conditions.

You're with Vodafone, have you checked to see if Telecom coverage is any better? When it comes to rural, there are areas where one carrier has coverage and not the other, and vice versa.

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#745307 15-Jan-2013 20:30

thanks for that info freitasm. is it true that a good 3G router has some signal enhancing abilities? ie more so than a passive device like a data stick?

and thanks also exdee. yes the p500 is getting a bit old. not easy to get precise info from the phone companies ... it seems like the only real way to test coverage is with an actual device in the field. i might borrow a mates telecom phone and check it out

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#745312 15-Jan-2013 20:35

steadysteve: well it will be the only connection i will have for a good while. i read about the rbi but not sure how i could benefit from that except perhaps via a wireless connection. the property is quite remote and unlikely to be near any fibre connection for some time. coffeebaron and allstar1, were you thinking wireless broadband?

i'll look into the Vodem k3805z thanks

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#745313 15-Jan-2013 20:36

steadysteve where are you thinking of moving to?

3G RBI coverage map on the Vodafone NZ site

www.vodafone.co.nz/about/rural-broadband-initiative/

Updates posted here on the Vodafone NZ forum

http://forum.vodafone.co.nz/topic/140-new-mobile-coverage/

John

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#745317 15-Jan-2013 20:39

In my experience a Cradlepoint router with a 3G USB modem has a much better performance than the 3G modem plugged directly to my laptop.

Note this seems to be something related to the Cradlepoint firmware and builtin technology. It may not be the same with other devices.

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#745332 15-Jan-2013 21:24

johnr, the place is near katikati on the western bay of plenty. thanks for the link to the vodafone coverage map. according to that the 3G coverage is weak (palest pink) but extended 3G looks promising. what device might be suitable in this situation?

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#745334 15-Jan-2013 21:27

steadysteve: johnr, the place is near katikati on the western bay of plenty. thanks for the link to the vodafone coverage map. according to that the 3G coverage is weak (palest pink) but extended 3G looks promising. what device might be suitable in this situation?

Vodafone R208 is Dual carrier but really any device that supports 3G / UMTS on 900Mhz

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#745335 15-Jan-2013 21:29

freitasm: In my experience a Cradlepoint router with a 3G USB modem has a much better performance than the 3G modem plugged directly to my laptop.

Note this seems to be something related to the Cradlepoint firmware and builtin technology. It may not be the same with other devices.

I can believe that. The device has nothing else on USB and 100% full control of the hardware. Makes sense. Which 3G USB modem in case it matters?

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#745338 15-Jan-2013 21:33

K4605 vodem supports dual carrier

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