Balanced advice - 3G vs Edge

[Academic]

Sierrawireless 3G, Edge & GPRS card = R 1 900 on MyChoice75. Sierrawireless Edge, GPRS card = R 0 on Mychoice75 or Novatell 3G = R 0 on MyChoice75. I am in a 3G area. Advice as to the best option? I think that the 3G, Edge & GPRS option is too expensive and I do not like Novatell - leaves the SW Edge card. Will 3G towers also be Edge enabled?

 

[ajax]

3G is on a different system (frequency). EDGE is on GSM frequencies. It is highly likely that if you are in a 3G area, there will be EDGE on the GSM towers.
The MTN website has an EDGE map, maybe see if you can figure something out there. Where are you situated? Maybe add your location to your user profile.

As a datacard is a once off expense, I'd rather save up some money and go for 3G.

O yes, and welcome to the forum!

 

[Obronie]

I am using Edge (via Bluetooth) and are more than happy with the speed. But you must realise that it is not really broadband. The old question remains true: What is your need? Is it for e-mail and light browsing (what I am doing)? Then Edge would be sufficient

In 2 years time 3g would in any case be seen as a slow broadband connection comparing to HSDPA that would start to mature and would act as the ideal way to get into broadband.

 

[chop]

Remember that the combo card (for R1900) is an HDSPA enabled card and you should be able to download at 1.4mb/sec once available (probably within the next few months). HDSPA seems to have very low latency as well (Vodacom forum).

I think you can get the card for around R450 if you take MyChoice150 or 300, can't remember.