3G DATA CARDS

[Cruella DeVilla]

Anyone got any experiences of 3G data cards? I need something for when I am on the move and have heard good and bad things about these.

My biggest concern would be huge bills and connection speeds and strengths. I don't want to be tied into lengthy contracts either!

I am going to go out Monday and hopefuly get something but want to be forewarned so to speak about what I am getting myself into.

Any advice greatly appreciated

[florida4sun]

I have an ornage one and i am no tha impressed, connection is no better than dial up (sometimes its good). I used it in france to get email twice a day for 3 weeks. The bill was nearly 300 quid!!! They have just cut the rate but it is still high. Personally I favor buying and orange monthly/weekly wirless pack. Hotels and hotspots are pentiful, we often justy pull up outside a hotel to get email. The cost is much less.
There will soon be a new wide roaming access service coming out. At the moment with 3g yo basicly have a dedicated link when using is, this is expensive. The new service is loads faster (claimiung to be faster than anything that currently exists). It should be avialable for a flat monthly fee as it uses much less of the suppliers service.
If your stuck for now, I would not invest in a card but go through a 3g phone which is as good.



<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Cruella DeVilla
Anyone got any experiences of 3G data cards? I need something for when I am on the move and have heard good and bad things about these.

My biggest concern would be huge bills and connection speeds and strengths. I don't want to be tied into lengthy contracts either!

I am going to go out Monday and hopefuly get something but want to be forewarned so to speak about what I am getting myself into.

Any advice greatly appreciated
[/quote]

[Cruella DeVilla]

Thanks Martin for your insight its' basically what I thought. My last bill was the same sort of price as I had to use GPRS to connect through my phone...never again but needs must at the time.

I had a look at the Vodafone site and they seem to do an unlimited package for around £50 or so a month, I need to investigate it more I think as I can do without stupid bills for dial up speeds.

Thanks again

[SDJ]

Hi J

I have a Vodafone GPRS/3G card. It costs me nearly £60 per month for unlimited use. I use it mostly when I am down in Perranporth at the caravan so I can keep in touch with any bookings that may come my way! It depends what you want it for but for me it's worth every penny.

Booked a flight yet???

Hope to see you soon.

Sandra

[Cruella DeVilla]

Sandra, thanks for the info, it was your card and our conversation last trip that got me thinking about getting one as you know my current predicament is far from ideal!

I am going to have a proper look at the weekend.

P.S. I will email tonight.

[pieman790]

We used to connect to the internet using a Blue tooth stick and a mobile phone. It not bad for the odd e mail but it can work out quite expensive.
We have a Static Caravan and had a BT line installed together with 2 meg Broadband connected to a Wireless router.