mobile broadband - tethered phone vs usb stick

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1eStar

1604 posts

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#745395 15-Jan-2013 23:18

If telecom reception is good up your way then check out the data rates on skinny.co.nz. they are basically telecom and the pricing is currently pretty sharp. Not sure if the chipsets in their usb dongles are compatible with the cradlepoint router, but you could always get a telecom wifi router and pop a skinny Sim in it.

steadysteve

107 posts

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#745657 16-Jan-2013 12:39

thanks for that - sounds like a good plan - i'll look into it

steadysteve

107 posts

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#746293 17-Jan-2013 12:16

this is probably getting a bit off topic, but is there a mobile usb data device that will accept any sim card? or maybe arange of sim cards?

johnr

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#746294 17-Jan-2013 12:19

steadysteve: this is probably getting a bit off topic, but is there a mobile usb data device that will accept any sim card? or maybe arange of sim cards?

At the same time?

steadysteve

107 posts

Master Geek

#746304 17-Jan-2013 12:35

no, not at the same time :-)

just thinking of building in a bit of flexibility maybe. could have access to more data that way. expensive data of course. but sometimes it has to be done

the vodafone K3772 stick seems to tick a lot of boxes re dual carrier and 900MHz

freitasm

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Geekzone

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#746313 17-Jan-2013 12:45

I have a Sierra Wireless that works with all bands. I don't think this specific model is being sold anymore here though.

steadysteve

107 posts

Master Geek

#746322 17-Jan-2013 13:01

ok, thanks for that. i'll check to see if they have other models

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bagheera

539 posts

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#746376 17-Jan-2013 14:58

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?

you could give eol a call they cover western BoP with wireless - or that what their site says

http://www.eol.co.nz/broadband_home

steadysteve

107 posts

Master Geek

#746620 18-Jan-2013 06:53

i did call eol - they probably can do it. problem is install costs are high especially without signing up for 24 month contract

coffeebaron

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#746695 18-Jan-2013 09:55

steadysteve: i did call eol - they probably can do it. problem is install costs are high especially without signing up for 24 month contract

I guess you have to weigh up cost to install Vs higher running cost and see which one comes out best for the length of stay.

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wongtop

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#746704 18-Jan-2013 10:17

steadysteve: this is probably getting a bit off topic, but is there a mobile usb data device that will accept any sim card? or maybe arange of sim cards?

The Vodafone R205 mobile wifi works on the 850/900/2100 3G bands so should work with all three networks. You have to go into the settings and change the APN for 2degrees and telecom if you use these though.

Edit: Generally the vodafone usb sticks (as opposed to sticks from the other carriers or the mobile wifi device) are a harder to set up to use with the other carriers, as the Vodafone Mobile Connect software that is bundled with them doesn't like non vodafone connections. Also skinny devices are locked. In my experience with 2 degrees and telecom sticks it is relatively easy to change the APN to use with another network, though I don't think that many sticks sold by 2degrees and Telecom work on all three 850/900/2100 3G bands that you need for the three networks

coffeebaron

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#746705 18-Jan-2013 10:20

wongtop:
steadysteve: this is probably getting a bit off topic, but is there a mobile usb data device that will accept any sim card? or maybe arange of sim cards?

The Vodafone R205 mobile wifi works on the 850/900/2100 bands so should work with all three networks. You have to go into the settings and change the APN for 2degrees and telecom if you use these though.

Where did you find this info? I only found 900/2100 UMTS

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wongtop

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#746707 18-Jan-2013 10:27

coffeebaron:
wongtop:
steadysteve: this is probably getting a bit off topic, but is there a mobile usb data device that will accept any sim card? or maybe arange of sim cards?

The Vodafone R205 mobile wifi works on the 850/900/2100 bands so should work with all three networks. You have to go into the settings and change the APN for 2degrees and telecom if you use these though.

Where did you find this info? I only found 900/2100 UMTS

I've actually got one and connected to Telecom where there was no coverage on my Nokia 5800 which only has 900/2100. Also see http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=40&topicid=110199

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