Some advice pls - 3G vs card vs USB vs iphone

G

Geeves

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...I am currently on a 24-month 500mb Vodacom contract which expires next week.
I access via a Huwai (sp?) datacard with my laptop.
I am considering to renew the contract for another 24-months, but upgrading to to a 1 Gig package.

Is this a good idea considering:

1) That 3G reception at our house is dismal (i.e. only abou 30% of data used per month accessed via 3G). I do not want to go the Iburst route as mobility is NB, though. Any ways of boosting 3G reception?
2) I can get a USB modem to replace the 3G card...are these generally speaking better/worse/same as a card?
3) Might there be any new and exciting tools/technology launching soon which might make it worth waiting to renew the contract in order to get the new tool/hardware included as part of the contract?
4) I am considering getting a new iphone2 in Oct when my cell contract expires - can this potentially have any influence on my decision now (i.e. might it be a better idea to use the phone as a modem and loading datacontract onto SIM card then)?
5) Is it possibly to "upgrade" to 1 Gig per month at R350 without resigning contract?

Apologies if some of these questions appears silly, I am really quite uninformed when it gets to these matters! :o

Thanks in advance

G
 
The new hardware's already out, the E272, so you can get that now. An external antenna might give you better reception, I think the USB modem reception might be slightly better, it'd be best to try and borrow one to test before you sign a contract. I'm not sure but as long as you're upgrading not downgrading I don't think they'd have a problem. ;)
 
You should be able to get an external antenna for your existing 3G card. Check out: http://www.poyntingdirect.co.za/

If you don't want to renew your contract you could always keep you card and go pre-paid. There are a number of forumites on pre-paid (including myself) and enjoy the freedom from those surprise monthly data bills.

If on the other hand you want to upgrade go for the E272 (as suggested) and get the antenna for that. I think you should be able to go month-to-month on your contract and upgrade it to a 1G without renewing, but it would be best for Iam3G to answer that one or call your local Vodashop (and you wont get the E272).
 
morkhans said:
I stand corrected, but I don't believe you can surf through an iPhone (i.e connected via cable to your PC).
Click to expand...

I don't think you can either. Connecting via a phone is never a good option anyway IMO, unless its very occasional or you have an old phone to use just for that. Rather use your existing data card if you want to do that.
 
Oh one other thing to keep in mind. If you are planning on upgrading your notebook soon you may find that your next one only comes with an express slot, which means your old PCMCIA card will be useless. So upgrading and going USB will be a good idea in that case.
 
morkhans said:
I stand corrected, but I don't believe you can surf through an iPhone (i.e connected via cable to your PC).
Click to expand...

The same was said about the Blackberry, then yesterday i was corrected.

So I'd say it isn't impossible, until you've tried it ;)
 
Iam3G said:
The same was said about the Blackberry, then yesterday i was corrected.

So I'd say it isn't impossible, until you've tried it ;)
Click to expand...

Ok so...

I stand corrected, but I don't believe you can surf through an iPhone (YET) (i.e connected via cable to your PC).

:)
 
Iam3G said:
The same was said about the Blackberry, then yesterday i was corrected.

So I'd say it isn't impossible, until you've tried it ;)
Click to expand...
Using a blackberry as a modem is one thing - getting it to work on the unlimited bandwidth APN seems to be another. :o
 
wait for the iphone!

and u can go to a 1g a month without renewing the ct
 
morkhans said:
Ok so...

I stand corrected, but I don't believe you can surf through an iPhone (YET) (i.e connected via cable to your PC).

:)
Click to expand...

Oh wait, thats right! How could i have been so dumb! iPhone = Apple = Does not go well with Windows :D

bwana said:
Using a blackberry as a modem is one thing - getting it to work on the unlimited bandwidth APN seems to be another. :o
Click to expand...

Indeed. This one i had was configured using the internet APN, so the guy was surfing on Standard OOB rates, and he is aware of the charges.
 
Geeves said:
...I am currently on a 24-month 500mb Vodacom contract which expires next week.
I access via a Huwai (sp?) datacard with my laptop.
I am considering to renew the contract for another 24-months, but upgrading to to a 1 Gig package.

Is this a good idea considering:

1) That 3G reception at our house is dismal (i.e. only abou 30% of data used per month accessed via 3G). I do not want to go the Iburst route as mobility is NB, though. Any ways of boosting 3G reception?
2) I can get a USB modem to replace the 3G card...are these generally speaking better/worse/same as a card?
3) Might there be any new and exciting tools/technology launching soon which might make it worth waiting to renew the contract in order to get the new tool/hardware included as part of the contract?
4) I am considering getting a new iphone2 in Oct when my cell contract expires - can this potentially have any influence on my decision now (i.e. might it be a better idea to use the phone as a modem and loading datacontract onto SIM card then)?
5) Is it possibly to "upgrade" to 1 Gig per month at R350 without resigning contract?

Apologies if some of these questions appears silly, I am really quite uninformed when it gets to these matters! :o

Thanks in advance

G
Click to expand...

Most people here will advise you to go pre-paid and rather use your old modem or buy a new one outright.

If you can afford that, no problem, but if you need Vodacom to subsidise it, I'd go for the Huawei E272 on contract. It can do up to 7.2Mb/s down and 1.4Mb/s up.

Then get the E272's cradle and install a high-gain, external antenna from Poynting. It'll do wonders for your 3G signal in the house and you can just unclip the E272 and take it with you when you go mobile.

I'm not 100% sure, but I suspect the iPhone can't be used as a modem. Not sure why I think this, probably heard it somewhere. But can't confirm.

For me the short answer is; irrespective of bundle-type (pre-paid or contract), get the E272.

/added: Just saw all the responses before mine. Glad to see we all think the same! Except Garth who's always on his own planet! :)
 
Last edited:
vodacom3g said:
Most people here will advise you to go pre-paid and rather use your old modem or buy a new one outright.

If you can afford that, no problem, but if you need Vodacom to subsidise it, I'd go for the Huawei E272 on contract. It can do up to 7.2Mb/s down and 1.4Mb/s up.

Then get the E272's cradle and install a high-gain, external antenna from Poynting. It'll do wonders for your 3G signal in the house and you can just unclip the E272 and take it with you when you go mobile.

I'm not 100% sure, but I suspect the iPhone can't be used as a modem. Not sure why I think this, probably heard it somewhere. But can't confirm.

For me the short answer is; irrespective of bundle-type (pre-paid or contract), get the E272.

/added: Just saw all the responses bofore mine. Glad to see we all think the same! Except Garth who's always on his own planet! :)
Click to expand...

:D

I'm actually keen on trying that now. My motto is the harder the challenge, the more likely i am to succeed, because i AM that good ;)
 
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