Cheapest 3G option for internet

spiderz

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Ok, what's the cheapest option for internet on a pc via 3G.
3g Dongle or a cheap phone? which models? and where to get?
Preferably prepaid.

And what technologies should it cover? GPRS / 3G / HSPDA / EDGE ??

Thx
 
Hello Spiderz. If you have a modem or 3G phone already then a add on data bundle will work out cheaper. However, with us there is a deal now where you pay R199.00 per month for 24 months and you get a K3565 usb modem & 500 Meg to use every month. A stand alone 500 meg add on bundle is R189.00 per month. The vallue of the modem is far greater than the R240.00 you would be saving on the stand alone data bundle and therefore I personally would take the contract. I personally do not like to use a phone as a modem. I have tried it before and found the connection to be more unstable and slower than with a proper 3G modem. You also have to keep the phone plugged in to the charger as the battery will drain very quickly with a constant active data connection.
 
Something similar to a Huawei e220 (HSDPA 3.6Mbps)

HSDPA/UMTS 2100MHz and GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800/1900 MHz

HSDPA packet data service with a maximum transmission rate of 3.6Mbps
UMTS packet data service with a maximum transmission rate of 384kbps
EDGE packet data service with a maximum transmission rate of 236.8kbps
GPRS packet data service with a maximum transmission rate of 85.6kbps
<http://corporate.proximus.be/download/VMC_Manual_Huawei_E220.pdf>
 
I'd Prefer not to go the contract route. Your limited to the package you take, get nailed if you go over the cap, and loose the data you have not used.

Prepaid preferably.
 
I have used a Nokia E65 connected to my PC via cable as well as a Huawei E172 and got much better results with the E172. With a speed of 3.6Mbps you can do Skype video calling without any problems. So rather spend the money and get a 3G modem with a prepaid sim.
 
Can you use the Telkom 3G on a normal phone? ie can you activate your Vodacom sim card to use Telkom for the data connection, and Vodacom for the voice?
 
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