3G Questions

[Marc]

Hi.

I'm not particularly good when it comes to these new technological things.

I curently use the normal dial up procedure to access internet on my laptop. It is extremely slow and I've heard 3G is much faster.

What must I do to get internet access via 3G. Must I buy a data card and if so, how much? Can I use my phone (assuming it is 3G enabled) and if so, will the speed be any slower than if I use the data card? If the phone connects to the laptop via bluetooth, will the blue tooth slow the data down?

If I use 3G, will I keep my Internet Service Provider (ABSA)?

What are the costs involved, bearing in mind that i normally use the Internet for browsing?

 

[Tassidar]

3G is much faster than Dialup, and very worthwhile.

To connect to 3G, you will either need a 3G enabled cellphone (like the N70) or a datacard.

You can either buy the datacard outright, or get a contract. Vodacom offer a 3G contract for R350 with 500MB (prices for 3G have either or are going down). The above price is for HSDPA.

You will no longer need ABSA as a service provider as your cellphone company will act as your ISP.

500 MB should be more than enough for monthly browsing only.

 

[BeVonk!]

Just make very sure you have 3G reception where you want to use the connection. Be careful of MTN's coverage map on their website. It is not as reliable as MTN would want you to believe. Ask your neighbours and others staying in your neighbourhood if they use 3G and what their reception is like before you sign a 24 month contract. I've used the online coverage map and got caught - having zero 3G signal where the map indicates 95% 3G coverage.

 

[JMRHOWES]

Same here.. the converage map. does not indicate the correct data.

 

[Obronie]

You can use Bluetooth. On 3G it would not be slower. It works great. You can get a Google mail Pop3 account and drop your ABSA subs completely. Like most people here I know both dial up and the 3G/Edge. The latter is the way to go without a doubt for e-mails and light browsing (I am using about 350mb pm)