3G USB dongle - how much?

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Nickhyena

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Hi all,

I am in the UK, and will be moving out to SA in a couple of weeks time. I have a PCMCIA 3G datacard but my new laptop doesn't have a slot, so will now need to get 3G USB dongle. How much are they on prepaid over there? Also, are they unlocked so I can use different sim cards?

Many thanks,

Nick
 
Nickhyena said:
Hi all,

I am in the UK, and will be moving out to SA in a couple of weeks time. I have a PCMCIA 3G datacard but my new laptop doesn't have a slot, so will now need to get 3G USB dongle. How much are they on prepaid over there? Also, are they unlocked so I can use different sim cards?

Many thanks,

Nick
Click to expand...
They are unlocked, but you will pay quite a premium for them. Many people have trouble with the stick-type modems as well. The E272 has a good rep if you can locate one. The local version also has a nifty aerial socket for when the signal dies. (add R500 for an aerial from Poynting).

Cellucity has the K3565 for R1299 prepaid. GAME store is generally the cheapest for this type of thing. Try and get one that does HSUPA and 7.2mbps or better, as well as receiver diversity.. Huawei types generally have better support.
 
Hey! Thanks for your reply. Very helpful indeed. And what if I was to get one from VODACOM or MTN shops as pre-pay?

Many thanks,

Nick
 
You can get a Vodafone B970 wireless router for free with a topup 400. :)

Works a treat with your laptop and PS3.
 
Or you can look on in the BB classfieds forum.
I picked up a brand new Hauwei E272 for R750 a couple of weeks ago.(HSDPA and HSUPA)
Although the USB modems available are loaded with mainly Vodacom or MTN software, the firmware seems to be oem. But all are unlocked (by law)
For portability a USB modem is far better than a router.
I have a Vodafone (Novatel) MC950D USB stick, a Hauwei E272 USB modem, a Vodafone B970 router, as well as a Dovado USB mobile broadband router, and they all work great.
So your biggest decision is going to be the service provider.
But you can get lots of help, by just following the threads here.
Good luck and welcome here (or back)
 
You can use the B970 router as a USB modem, it's really not that big.

Fits perfectly into a laptop carrybag. ;)
 
Nickhyena said:
Hey! Thanks for your reply. Very helpful indeed. And what if I was to get one from VODACOM or MTN shops as pre-pay?

Many thanks,

Nick
Click to expand...
MTN doesn't do prepay, so the choice is GAME, Vodacom4u, Cellucity, Vodacom3g Shop (EXPENSIVE), Incredible Connection etc. The price can vary quite a bit and stocking is haphazard. The general consensus is to ditch/block the awful VMC Lite and load something like Mobile Partner on your PC. You can then use any SIM card on it.

There are quite a few of the stick versions about, including the K3520 with microSD slot, but performance has been a worry for some. The newer ones don't have the dual power cables (USBx2) either.

I have seen some 2nd hand MTN E270's for sale at around R1500 or less.
 
I've got a Vodafone Huawei E220 usb modem that I've found to be incredibly reliable. Ok, it's not strictly speaking a dongle, but it's compact enough and works a treat.

They can be bought at Incredible Connection for about R1600 and are not network locked.
 
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