Reception compared: Cellular phone vs Data PCMCIA card as 3G device

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nfbs

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Hi,

I am currently using my Nokia phone that supports hsdpa (3.5GB) as my laptop data modem but I am on edge of 3G area so only get 3G signal indication sporadically . I would just like to know if a VC pcmcia card would give better reception compared to my phone because it is designed specifically for that purpose or if my phone would get better reception because I can actually put it high up somewhere close to my laptop?

Thanks.
 
The phone would give better reception, mostly because you can move it around and it does not have to be in such close proximity to the laptop casing.

But if you can set either the phone or datacard to use the 3G band only, then that would be preferred, unless, of course, the 3G signal drops to zero sometimes
 
No. Some of the cheaper 3G phones suck for internet. There was some story about it only being able to use a limited number of channels....the more expensive phones are the same as data cards though. A bit of googling should locate the relevant thread.
 
nfbs said:
Hi,

I am currently using my Nokia phone that supports hsdpa (3.5GB) as my laptop data modem but I am on edge of 3G area so only get 3G signal indication sporadically . I would just like to know if a VC pcmcia card would give better reception compared to my phone because it is designed specifically for that purpose or if my phone would get better reception because I can actually put it high up somewhere close to my laptop?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

In your case a data card / modem with a high-gain, external antenna will probably be the best solution.

But typically your browsing habits will give you the answer. If you only do sporadic browsing, probably using the phone makes sense.

But if you spend any reasonable time on-line, I'd go for the modem.
 
Thanks v3g.

Forcing the phone in UMTS (3G) only like someone suggested gives no bars so that's why I never use that feature.
Will look into this high gain antenna. Perhaps there is a way to connect the phone to it or some Nokia antenna accessory I could get for it.
 
nfbs said:
Thanks v3g.

Forcing the phone in UMTS (3G) only like someone suggested gives no bars so that's why I never use that feature.
Will look into this high gain antenna. Perhaps there is a way to connect the phone to it or some Nokia antenna accessory I could get for it.
Click to expand...

Poynting makes an inductive antenna coupler for the phones.
 
What v3g said - I've always found my external card to give me better reception. Could be a result of the phone's reception just sucking though.
 
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