UK Hubbers? Who Uses Mobile Broadband?

1. 75

   frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

   Because I'm going to scream if I don't find a decent one PDQ I'd like to know if anyone can recommend a service provider? Reliable, effective, doesn't constantly need reconnecting or trouble shooting. And one that has a connection speed faster that I can walk with a broken leg whilst wearing a blindfold
   
   Currently using T Mobile. In between I've had a go with 02 and a wireless connection, Virgin. All have been about as much use as a chocolate fireguard.
   
   I've had huge headaches recently with the laptop as it is, twixt it needing fixing, new one adopting a virus etc. The internet is the last straw. Earlier today, it cut out - for the umpteenth time.
   
   On this occasion, it's due to needing a top up. I have spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to do exactly that. Just sorted that out and yet again, back to online, offline, online, offline, still offline, almost online, offline agin ... you get the picture.
   
   Help?
   
   P.S. - used Optimus (Portuguese brother to Orange) in Portugal and it was superb. Really puts the UK to shame the techology over there.

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2. 59

   Mrvoodooposted 14 years ago

   I've been using '3' mobile broadband for two and a half years. 
   
   Their customer service isn't the best should anything ever go wrong (but I guess this is the same for most big business these days) but the service itself (99% of the time) has been more than adequate.
   
   I use it as my primary connection in place of a land-line/cable, and while maybe not ideal if you plan to download HD movies non-stop, it's been more than fast enough for my needs, and despite being online pretty much 24/7 I've only once gone over the bandwidth allowance.
   
   No connection/trouble-shooting problems either, plug and play, although connection will probably vary per location.

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3. 75

   frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

   Thankyou Mrvoodoo. I have considered 3 but have reached the stage where I'd rather ask for opinions before I spend any more money on useless pieces of crap.
   
   I only use the 'net to work. I rarely do anything else. Youtube type stuff is rare, usually when I want a vid for a hub or some such. I'm a boring surfer TBH.
   
   I'll have a look at what they offer

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   1. 59

      Mrvoodooposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      No worries, best of luck with it, and don't blame me if it turns out to be yet another piece of crap. But I've had few complaints with it (and I really like a good grumble).

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4. 75

   frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

   lol I won't, don't worry. Had a 3 mobile for a few years, never had any problems. Used the mobile broadband dooodahhhhh on it, Nokia N95. Was pretty darn good - even though 3 or 4 years ago that was fairly new gadgetry on mobiles

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5. 81

   IzzyMposted 14 years ago

   I think the best option for you will depend on whether or not you want a contract and exactly where you are.
   Apart from paying and trying, maybe ask locally who has the best reception for your area? And I do mean locally - like your next door neighbour. While mobile masts are all over the place in the UK, they are in the process of setting up thousands more to ensure better coverage for all. Don't rely on a salesperson telling you that you have coverage - from all accounts they are trained to lie as lack of coverage does not release you from a contract.
   PAYG broadband, while slightly more expensive, is excellent for short term use. I have used 3 in the past as their skype phone 3 is connected to their network ( I bought the phone and it can be used as a dongle), but I believe their dongle is in the region of £10.
   My cousin here in Lincolnshire swears by Orange as having the best coverage in this area.
   Hope this helps

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6. 75

   frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

   Thankyou Izzy - it helps

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7. 61

   edmondpogiposted 14 years ago

   oh my bad! wrong channel!:-)

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8. 60

   John Holdenposted 14 years ago

   Frogdropping, I've been using PAYG 3 for about a year now. I wouldn't say without problem but the problems have been minor and connected to the set up and top up rather than use and they are quite good with credits.
   I'd embroider Izzy's advice, don't ask neighbours how they get on with 3,as if they want to drop in for a brew and bring their dongle for you to try, they can be quite sensitive to position and what works for a neighbour might not work for you.
   
   Try the 3 web site and see what coverage it suggests you will get.

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9. 75

   frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

   John - thankyou. It seems that 3 is the one to look at. I'm still struggling with mine. It's been off more than on again, as usual. If I hadn't used mobile broadband before and found it so damn wonderful, I would likely be less cheesed off. Optimus Portugal really do put T Mobile to shame. The service is simply an angst ridden, rage inducing mess.
   
   You should see the T Mobile forum - full of complaints, many of which I've experienced

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10. 81

    Sufidreamerposted 14 years ago

    We are the same over here - the mobile internet is usually pretty good.
    
    I may be going on old information, but I seem to remember that if you sign up for mobile phones/internet online or over the phone, rather than in a store, the law gives you a cooling off period. If the reception is crap, you can cancel the contract without penalty.
    
    I am going from memory there (we used to sell '3' phones at Superdrug!), so don't take my word as gospel, but it might be worth looking into
    
    EDIT: By Sod's Law, as soon as I praised the Greek mobile internet service, it dropped me down to 2G. I must remember not to tempt the Fates - always dangerous in this part of the world

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    1. 56

       jermaiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       I have now risen a super web-enabled cell phone and am excited about the possibilities such as navigation on foot and retrieve all relevant information to help me everyday to go. really a great thing.

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11. 75

    frogdroppingposted 14 years ago

    lol sufi - the Gods have spoken. Or at least fiddled with your reception
    
    Thanks for taking the time to add to my growing interest in giving 3 a whirl. I'll be checking them out and may well give them a go.

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12. 59

    nikmaya62posted 14 years ago

    I use smart CDMA. That's fine and I never experienced the problem until now. I use haier c700 modem, It is cheap.

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13. 68

    warchild75posted 14 years ago

    I dont personally use it but i know a couple of people that do and neither of them are that happy with it,it seems like it may be a technology that needs to develop first.

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14. 61

    Eric Graudinsposted 14 years ago

    Hey Froggy!
    Move to Australia and use Telstra.
    
    P.S. when are you going to send me the address for that Bear?
    
    He's eating us out of house and home!!!
    
    cheers,
    Eric G.

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15. 70

    cornwall_UKposted 14 years ago

    I use only mobile broadband, because I don't have a home of my own, so no way to get broadband through a phone line.
    
    I've got two:
    - 3 broadband, which I got nearly two years ago at the price of £15/month with an 18 month contract and 15GB.
    - O2 dongle on PAYG
    
    My experiences have been variable.  I've had trouble with the 3 dongle, even though the aerial station is in my road, this was because there was a huge takeup of mobile broadband in my area (Cornwall) and then the whole aerial equipment crashed and needed replacing, which meant it was down for about 3 days entirely.  Through these tricky months I only found out what the problems were because I have a background in IT and so did some testing myself before phoning the helpdesk.  When I phoned the helpdesk I would say to them: I have tried my dongle on two different PCs, with different OSs, I have driven my laptop to another area and another aerial works fine and it connects immediately. 
    
    I found I had to be strong, direct and precise with the (indian) call centre, who weren't listening to what I was saying.  They kept trying to diagnose my settings - I was trying to tell them there was nothing wrong with my PC/settings, it was their service at fault.
    
    However, each time I pre-qualified my call and was clear/consistent and patient, I would eventually be put through to second line support - and within 24 hours an engineer would be despatched to fix it.  I was also credited with that month's broadband fee.  Great, except I had to go through a lot of hard work to get them to listen - and the cost of the phone calls (about £10 in total).
    
    When it went down for the first time, I decided to get another service.  It seems that O2 in my area would give the next best signal.  So I got a PAYG dongle from O2, for when 3 was down.  This I found to be half the speed of dial up and a complete pain in the butt.
    
    With O2 I was buying 24 hours' connection for £2 at a time.  It was so deathly slow I couldn't "do work" on my PC (e.g. write hubs would be work), all I could do was surf and chat
    
    The experience you receive from a mobile dongle will vary from house to house.  Aerials are directional, the house construction will affect your ability to get a signal. 
    
    Ideally you need to borrow one of every type of dongle (from friends) and give them a go, to see how good a signal you can get in your house, where you usually sit, with each one.
    
    3 have recently upgraded their system and I haven't had any drop-out or problems for a couple of months now.
    
    As for the 15GB limit on 3, I don't watch TV, I don't listen to music, I don't download films, I don't upload files, I don't have a webcam.  But I am on 24/7.  I am online all day, every day.  I leave it running.  I am here writing, reading, learning, looking, poking about - all day every day.  The most I have used ever in one month is this month (I think it was all the image searches etc I was doing for the HMTS September Challenge/contest) and I've used about 6GB.

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