Vodacom 3G on Apple platform

J

Johan Steyn

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I want to bypass Telkom fixed line networks with a 3G setup. I operate on Apple platforms and want to setup an Apple i-Book and G4 desktop unit with Vodacom's 3G bundles. Obviously Apple has no PCMCIA slots so how do I connect to the 3G cards? Anyone gone this route before? HELP!
 
I'm no Apple fundi, but we do have a version of the VMC specifically for these systems and a few forumites using them, so it seems some models must have PCMCIA capabilities.

We've been waiting a while now for an external '3G Access Point', basically a WiFi access point with a 3G card built in. These are slowing becoming available with the Novatel one in our labs at the moment, being tested.

This unit will work well where you can't (or won't) put a card directly in your desktop.
 
Hey Johan,

The G4 is a desktop machine and as you stated no PCMCIA. Can you not run a temp. solution via a notebook/Intel Desktop till Vodacom can find these cards/devices we are all waiting for ?

Laterz !!!

Johan Steyn said:
I want to bypass Telkom fixed line networks with a 3G setup. I operate on Apple platforms and want to setup an Apple i-Book and G4 desktop unit with Vodacom's 3G bundles. Obviously Apple has no PCMCIA slots so how do I connect to the 3G cards? Anyone gone this route before? HELP!
Click to expand...
 
Apparently there is a PCMCIA-USB adapter for the Apple but it is pretty unstable. I have been woring Apple for about 13 years already and am not aware of any PCMCIA-equipped Apple model. I'd be very grateful if you can let me know when the WiFi access hardware is commercially available as Telkom's inability to replace stolen cables in my area is costing me serious money. If you have any other Apple-compatible solution for me in the short term I'd be pleased to hear it.

cheers

J
vodacom3g said:
I'm no Apple fundi, but we do have a version of the VMC specifically for these systems and a few forumites using them, so it seems some models must have PCMCIA capabilities.

We've been waiting a while now for an external '3G Access Point', basically a WiFi access point with a 3G card built in. These are slowing becoming available with the Novatel one in our labs at the moment, being tested.

This unit will work well where you can't (or won't) put a card directly in your desktop.
Click to expand...
 
Hey there,

I have a serious investment in Apple equipment and have found that when I have run a PC laptop in order to access cell/PC interface technology that the hassle of converting Apple data to PC compatible just so you can transfer it, not worht the effort. I run an i-Book too and even there the 3G interface is apparently pretty unstable and hard to obtain. I am in touch with some guys from Vodacom who apparently have a solution. Will stay in touch.

cheers
J
Tazz_Tux said:
Hey Johan,

The G4 is a desktop machine and as you stated no PCMCIA. Can you not run a temp. solution via a notebook/Intel Desktop till Vodacom can find these cards/devices we are all waiting for ?

Laterz !!!
Click to expand...
 
Hey Johan,

I have personally installed the vmc cards under Mac X (I think) and they work great !!! Lets see what Vodacom says !

Laterz !!!

Johan Steyn said:
Hey there,

I have a serious investment in Apple equipment and have found that when I have run a PC laptop in order to access cell/PC interface technology that the hassle of converting Apple data to PC compatible just so you can transfer it, not worht the effort. I run an i-Book too and even there the 3G interface is apparently pretty unstable and hard to obtain. I am in touch with some guys from Vodacom who apparently have a solution. Will stay in touch.

cheers
J
Click to expand...
 
BTW - I think you mis-understood what I meant. I suggested that you use it to share a network connection, in which case no coverting is needed :D

Laterz !!!

Johan Steyn said:
Hey there,

I have a serious investment in Apple equipment and have found that when I have run a PC laptop in order to access cell/PC interface technology that the hassle of converting Apple data to PC compatible just so you can transfer it, not worht the effort. I run an i-Book too and even there the 3G interface is apparently pretty unstable and hard to obtain. I am in touch with some guys from Vodacom who apparently have a solution. Will stay in touch.

cheers
J
Click to expand...
 
I don't believe a USB to PCMCIA adaptor will work, primarily due to the fact that the data card acts as a USB host.

The WiFi / 3G access points is not that far away, but probably not in the next 6 weeks.

Tazz's suggestion is to construct a '3G access point' with a laptop, so it's at IP level and you won't have to convert any data.

Basically you set up a Windows (or Linux) laptop with a 3G data card and a normal Ethernet port. This system will then connect to the 3G network as per normal.
You enable routing (or bridging) between the LAN and 3G card and, as you've connected your Apple to the same LAN, you can now route onto the 3G network via the laptop.

So the access to the 3G network will be transparent from the Apple's view.

Tazz, have I got it right?
 
OK, I get it. Bit of a convoluted solution, but hey, it gets the grey matter going right! In view of the current lack of other workable solutions, this is going to have to do for now. Thanks guys.
 
It's a bit over the top if you only want to connect one machine to the 3G network, but as the number of computers on the LAN increase, it becomes more of an attractive solution as everyone can share the one connection.
 
For everyone using Apple MAC OS X:

A week ago I found and downloaded version 2.02 of the Vodafone Mobile Connect software directly from Vodafone UK and it is hugely better than the previous versions (including 2.01)! It gives the option of a 3G Only connection and takes under 5 seconds to detect the card and completely setup the connection. A massive improvement!
 
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