Can I buy a 3G modem separately ?

StoneCold

StoneCold

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Hi guys,

As the title of the topic states, can I buy a 3G modem separately without a contract ? I want to use it in conjunction with a prepaid sim card, if it's possible?

Which modems should I be on the lookout for, and what are the price for these modems more or less. A work colleague of mine said you get modems which range in different speeds ?

This won't be a long term investment as I only want to buy to it to use during the upcoming holiday and for random work purposes, so I don't need a top of the line one, just one that would allow me decent browsing speeds.

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks

:)
 
also look at different frequencies, eg cellc =1800, the rest at 900mhz.

If you going to rural places make sure it got a good transmitter.

You can also use a 3G cellphone to connect and use it over your cable.
 
Robertvv said:
also look at different frequencies, eg cellc =1800, the rest at 900mhz.

If you going to rural places make sure it got a good transmitter.

You can also use a 3G cellphone to connect and use it over your cable.
Click to expand...

If I were to use my phone as 3G modem (which I can) I suppose I don't need to load "data" then, as it will make use of my airtime ?
 
Robertvv said:
also look at different frequencies, eg cellc =1800, the rest at 900mhz.

If you going to rural places make sure it got a good transmitter.

You can also use a 3G cellphone to connect and use it over your cable.
Click to expand...

It's the other way around if I'm not mistaken. Cell C utilises the 900Mhz band.

Modems should be able to do both though.
 
If you are in Bloemfontein, have a look at ProCell if you are just after a cheap modem.

Certainly well under R400 and offers speeds of up to 7.2 MBPS and SIM free so no RICA to worry about...

Bloemfontein - Cnr Maitland & East Burger Str
Bloemfontein - Central Park Shop 111a
Bloemfontein - 6 Harvey Road
Bloemfontein - St Andrew Street
Bloemfontein - Rocklands
Bloemfontein - 97 Zastron Street
Bloemfontein - Crossroads Heidedal
Click to expand...

100% plug and play without a resource hungry dashboard, Works on Windows 7 & XP. On the down side they don't have 900MHz on 3G so, Cell C is out of the equation but fine for Vodacom/MTN & 8.ta.

Entry pre-pay Vodacom/MTN modems are just on the R400 price mark (R399) but you'll have to tinker with the dashboard if you want to use alternative SIM cards (i.e. a MTN SIM into a Vodacom modem for example) and of course RICA a new SIM even if you are not going to use it. You will also get a massive 100MB of 'free data' for the first few months!! :)
 
Last edited:
Robertvv said:
also look at different frequencies, eg cellc =1800, the rest at 900mhz.

If you going to rural places make sure it got a good transmitter.

You can also use a 3G cellphone to connect and use it over your cable.
Click to expand...

Cell C use 1800MHz for 2G/EDGE and 900Hz for 3G/HSPA. All other SA networks use 2100MHz for 3G/HSPA and 900MHz for 2G/EDGE. In some cities MTN/Vodacom also use 1800MHz but only for 2G/EDGE.
 
Why should you not be able to buy a modem?

You can buy modems from Vodacom, Cell-C and 8ta. MTN modems can be bought from Foshini, Ackerman, JET, CNA, Incredible Connection etc.

If you are with Vodacom, buy an Internet Starter Pack, R399.00 (?) - get a 100 megabytes data per month, for 12 months included.

Not all modems work with all cellular providers, one that comes to mind is MTN's E3131, which will not work with Cell-C, no 900 MHz support ...

Buying data bundles is cheaper than using your airtime for data purposes.
 
BigAl-sa said:
Just convert some of your airtime to data...
Click to expand...

How would I go about in doing that ?

JimM said:
It will use your airtime at the rate of R2 per megabyte if you are using MTN/Vodacom!! Best to buy a data bundle!!
Click to expand...

Thanks for the response guys, just a quick question. If I buy a data bundle ( I can do that via online banking) is there anything else I need to set so that my usage will be deducted from the data bundle and not my airtime when using my phone as 3G modem ?

Sorry for the noob questions, but would like if you guys can just give me advice on that.

Thanks
 
StoneCold said:
Thanks for the response guys, just a quick question. If I buy a data bundle ( I can do that via online banking) is there anything else I need to set so that my usage will be deducted from the data bundle and not my airtime when using my phone as 3G modem ?

Sorry for the noob questions, but would like if you guys can just give me advice on that.

Thanks
Click to expand...

When you have a bundle, it will automatically use the data instead of your airtime. That's actually not a noob question though, considering the sneaky practices of our operators. Hopefully this thread doesn't give them ideas.
 
StoneCold said:
How would I go about in doing that ?
Click to expand...
With VC, register on their website (you actually register the phone number associated with the SIM). One of the options you have there (horrible website to navigate) is to buy data bundles. With PAYG, your airtime is used to pay for the data bundle. Been doing this for ages with both my modem and smartphone.

Can't help you with MTN.
 
Hi Sorry to barge in here--related question: I have a USB stick modem with vodacom and SIM (contract expired 3 months ago)--but no data--what data bundle would you recommend to load on this as a pre-paid service, no contracts please. Month to month preferred. I think 5GB data would suffice? what is the best price on market right now? will another SIM (MTN or 8ta or CellC) work on this vodacom branded USB modem?
 
it's probably a K3570Z
specs:
3G Frequency Band: HSDPA/UMTS 2100MHz
2G Frequency Band: GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800...

so you need a provider that runs at 2100 - I think Cellc runs at both 900/2100, but not sure about 8ta
 
Great thanks--how about data packages--who offers value for money right now. I have been out of the scene for a while now, using ADSL mostly, but now looking into mobile data when on the move.

Thanks
 
Smiley_lauf said:
Great thanks--how about data packages--who offers value for money right now. I have been out of the scene for a while now, using ADSL mostly, but now looking into mobile data when on the move.

Thanks
Click to expand...

if on the move, you should look at the coverage maps of the different isps and go from there - best deals = 8ta and cellc
 
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