Virgin Mobile for EDGE internet access - how reliable is it?

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JohnnyG

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Hi all

Im looking at getting the Virgin Mobile V000 package, and a Sony Ericsson GC85 (EDGE data card for Laptop), which is R1300.

(data card is bottom of this catalog: http://www.virginmobile.co.za/catalogue.shtml)

This would be only used for internet access "on the go". I have ADSL at work/home, and myt Vodacom cell contract is fine for calls, so I plan to keep it. (as the Virgin Ad says, Im stuck in my contract anyway :( )


So, with Virgin option, monthly I would pay:
R50 (installments for data card)
R0 (contract) ;)
R10 (itemised billing) (optional, but I like it)
R50 (optional airtime for browsing at 50c per MB)

So, for a total of R110 per month I can cover the 100mb I use per month for mobile internet use from my laptop, via data card. What I dont use gets carried over, and Im not locked into any contract. Great stuff.

<strong>My concern:</strong>
Question is, what sort of uptime can I expect? I know better than to be fully dependent on one provider, so I will also be carying my (rather) trusty old cell with me, which I could fall back on (GPRS via Bluetooth, at R2 per mb)


Anybody have any experince with EDGE coverage?
Uptime of EDGE so far?
Anything else to comment?

You help is greatly appreaciated.
JohnnyG
 
JohnnyG said:
Hi all

Im looking at getting the Virgin Mobile V000 package, and a Sony Ericsson GC85 (EDGE data card for Laptop), which is R1300.

(data card is bottom of this catalog: http://www.virginmobile.co.za/catalogue.shtml)

This would be only used for internet access "on the go". I have ADSL at work/home, and myt Vodacom cell contract is fine for calls, so I plan to keep it. (as the Virgin Ad says, Im stuck in my contract anyway :( )


So, with Virgin option, monthly I would pay:
R50 (installments for data card)
R0 (contract) ;)
R10 (itemised billing) (optional, but I like it)
R50 (optional airtime for browsing at 50c per MB)

So, for a total of R110 per month I can cover the 100mb I use per month for mobile internet use from my laptop, via data card. What I dont use gets carried over, and Im not locked into any contract. Great stuff.

<strong>My concern:</strong>
Question is, what sort of uptime can I expect? I know better than to be fully dependent on one provider, so I will also be carying my (rather) trusty old cell with me, which I could fall back on (GPRS via Bluetooth, at R2 per mb)


Anybody have any experince with EDGE coverage?
Uptime of EDGE so far?
Anything else to comment?

You help is greatly appreaciated.
JohnnyG
Click to expand...

Hi there

You won't be dissapointed with Virgin Mobile. The EDGE speeds are very good. There was a problem a week ago with downtime but it was due to Cell-C doing upgrades. (that's downtime due to good things)

Your access pack is R89
R50 airtime (100MB if you're only going to use it for data)
You want itemised billing at R10 per month
Optional R50 airtime

So for 100MB per month it will be like this:

1st month: R99 (100MB)
2nd month: R50 (100MB) etc....

Just make sure to wait for the 128K cards to be in store. If you order your card ask for a 128K sim card with it.

Enjoy.:D
 
Piesang said:
Just make sure to wait for the 128K cards to be in store. If you order your card ask for a 128K sim card with it.
Click to expand...


By "128K cards" you meen the sim? Correct? Because the actual data card can handle up to 256kbps.

I have filled out the contract on the Virgin site at 12:30 today. So we will see how long they take to call me, and confirm all.

How do I go about asking for a 128k sim card? hmm... [ponders]

thanks
JohnnyG
 
JohnnyG said:
By "128K cards" you meen the sim? Correct? Because the actual data card can handle up to 256kbps.

I have filled out the contract on the Virgin site at 12:30 today. So we will see how long they take to call me, and confirm all.

How do I go about asking for a 128k sim card? hmm... [ponders]

thanks
JohnnyG
Click to expand...
Yeah - 128k sim cards. Have a look at this thread http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=48336 and this http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php?t=49143
 
JohnnyG said:
Question is, what sort of uptime can I expect?
Click to expand...
I concur with Piesang, mostly I've been very impressed with VM...
There were some "downtimes" in the begining but they seem to have fixed it, I've not had one disconnect in the last week ;) , even though I've remained logged on for several hours at go :D

I've already used over 200 MB of data with VM... :D
 
JohnnyG said:
By "128K cards" you meen the sim? Correct? Because the actual data card can handle up to 256kbps.

I have filled out the contract on the Virgin site at 12:30 today. So we will see how long they take to call me, and confirm all.

How do I go about asking for a 128k sim card? hmm... [ponders]

thanks
JohnnyG
Click to expand...

You shouldnt have a problem with the 64k sim they give you with a Sony Ericsson GC85 Data Card. It's not a 3G card so it should work fine.

As soon as you get it let me know how it works please. If you have any problems let me know.
 
I would not tie myself down to a non, 3g/HSDPA, card now. Cell C is very close to going 3G and thus VM too. Rather buy the e 620 from MTN at 49 per month, load data onto as per when you need it. Then when the 128 K sims story gets sorted you can put it in and pay 50c per mb prepaid. The MTN cards are not locked.
 
Wynsam said:
I would not tie myself down to a non, 3g/HSDPA, card now. Cell C is very close to going 3G and thus VM too. Rather buy the e 620 from MTN at 49 per month, load data onto as per when you need it. Then when the 128 K sims story gets sorted you can put it in and pay 50c per mb prepaid. The MTN cards are not locked.
Click to expand...

Yes, I agree with Wynsam. This is probably the best way to go. As soon as the Virgin sim cards are sorted it will be the best option for "internet-on-the-go".:D
 
I began using VM about a month ago. Used it for about 3 weeks but was disappointed with the slow speeds I was getting during the evenings and the connection problems. So I decided to let it rest for a while and give VM a chance to get everything right (I hope it is now) and went back to my MTN prepaid data bundle which still has another 17 days to go. After that will give VM a try again. Hope to get the 128k sim by then as well.
 
Wynsam said:
I would not tie myself down to a non, 3g/HSDPA, card now. Cell C is very close to going 3G and thus VM too. Rather buy the e 620 from MTN at 49 per month, load data onto as per when you need it. Then when the 128 K sims story gets sorted you can put it in and pay 50c per mb prepaid. The MTN cards are not locked.
Click to expand...

Whats the deal with the MTN data card then? The e620. Its a 3G / HSDPA card available "free" on a MTN Contract? R49 pm + this + that + one more thing? ...


Please clarify the 128k sim story. I understand that the Virgin Mobile sim card does not work correctly in any of the data cards, except the one Virgin sells (Sony Ericcson GC85). Is this correct? So.. to me it sounds like the best option is to simply buy the card that does work fine, from Virgin?

Problem is Sony Ericcson GC85 is EDGE only, and does not support 3G or HSDPA. Right?


Also, I really need to know this: Does EDGE have a better coverage than 3G? (I have heard the EDGE is available almost everywhere, even if 3G is not)


Personally, even if I revert back to GPRS speeds, Im not phased. Its only a connection I use when "on the go", and need to get online for something quick. I have lived with GPRS for this task for more than a year, so GPRS speed is fine as a fallback in "no coverage" areas. EDGE is a major step up for me, so I will be happy when there is coverage.

3G / HSDPA = Money grabbers
The way I see it, the faster the connection, the faster it eats your balance.
EDGE is fine balance between speed, and cost. ;)

If you dont get what I mean here, then here is an example:
on 3G HSDPA: - 1 hour "heavy internet use" on HSDPA = +- 200mb = R100
on EDGE: - 1 hour "heavy internet use" on EDGE = +- 80mb = R40
on GPRS: - 1 hour "heavy internet use" on GPRS = +- 15mn = R7

ha ha. Okay, that may sound like a silly example. But think about it. The faster your connection, the more moeny you are bound to spend!


I was on (canceled 30 min ago), the Vodacom MyMeg150 bundle, but I have two problems with it:

1. a. Does not "carry over". :(
b. Is not "pay as you go". So... if I dont even use it at all for a whole month, I still have to pay. :|

2. As I use my phone to connect, via bluetooth, from my laptop, I can't receive calls while Im online. I know that sounds crazy. An incomming call used to just "pause" my GPRS connection, and the phone would ring, but no longer. Now, when Im online, nobody can get hold of me. :(


Virgin solves both these problems for me:

1. Is pay as you go, and carries over. What I dont use, I dont pay for.. Hmm, cool.

2. I will get a data card that can stay in my laptop. So my normal cellphone can still make and receive calls while I remain online. Yay !


Also, the MTN / Voda 3G data cards are BIG, and ugly. It sticks out so far out the side of the laptop its bound to bump against something! Which means I would have to unplug after every time I use it, and put it in a little box, with its little arial. ...More stuff to carry in my already fully packed laptop bag.

The Sony Ericcson GC85 is small, and does not stick out the side of the laptop as much. In fact, I can safely leave it plugged in. So... no extra stuff to carry arround.

Oh, and let me not start about how I love and trust Sony products. I have had t610 (2years), and s700 (15months+), both never gave me any trouble, and were ahead of their time. I will "trust" in a SE data card, long before I tust MTN or Vodacoms data card offerings.

Can anyone comment on:
1. Is EDGE coverage better or equal to 3G coverage?
2. Is EDGE (256kbps) really that much slower than 3G (386kbps/1.8mbps theoretical) ?
3. Is anything I've said wrong? Please correct me, its the only way I can learn, and Im hear to learn... :)
 
Last edited:
JohnnyG said:
Whats the deal with the MTN data card then? The e620. Its a 3G / HSDPA card available "free" on a MTN Contract? R49 pm + this + that + one more thing? ...


Please clarify the 128k sim story. I understand that the Virgin Mobile sim card does not work correctly in any of the data cards, except the one Virgin sells (Sony Ericcson GC85). Is this correct? So.. to me it sounds like the best option is to simply buy the card that does work fine, from Virgin?

Problem is Sony Ericcson GC85 is EDGE only, and does not support 3G or HSDPA. Right?


Also, I really need to know this: Does EDGE have a better coverage than 3G? (I have heard the EDGE is available almost everywhere, even if 3G is not)


Personally, even if I revert back to GPRS speeds, Im not phased. Its only a connection I use when "on the go", and need to get online for something quick. I have lived with GPRS for this task for more than a year, so GPRS speed is fine as a fallback in "no coverage" areas. EDGE is a major step up for me, so I will be happy when there is coverage.

3G / HSDPA = Money grabbers
The way I see it, the faster the connection, the faster it eats your balance.
EDGE is fine balance between speed, and cost. ;)

If you dont get what I mean here, then here is an example:
on 3G HSDPA: - 1 hour "heavy internet use" on HSDPA = +- 200mb = R100
on EDGE: - 1 hour "heavy internet use" on EDGE = +- 80mb = R40
on GPRS: - 1 hour "heavy internet use" on GPRS = +- 15mn = R7

ha ha. Okay, that may sound like a silly example. But think about it. The faster your connection, the more moeny you are bound to spend!


I was on (canceled 30 min ago), the Vodacom MyMeg150 bundle, but I have two problems with it:

1. a. Does not "carry over". :(
b. Is not "pay as you go". So... if I dont even use it at all for a whole month, I still have to pay.

2. As I use my phone to connect, via bluetooth, from my laptop, I can't receive calls while Im online. I know that sounds crazy. An incomming call used to just "pause" my GPRS connection, and the phone would ring, but no longer. Now, when Im online, nobody can get hold of me. :(


Virgin solves both these problems for me:

1. Is pay as you go, and carries over. What I dont use, I dont pay for.. Hmm, cool.

2. I will get a data card that can stay in my laptop. So my normal cellphone can still make and receive calls while I remain online. Yay !


Also, the MTN / Voda 3G data cards are BIG, and ugly. It sticks out so far out the side of the laptop its bound to bump against something! Which means I would have to unplug after every time I use it, and put it in a little box, with its little arial. ...More stuff to carry in my already fully packed laptop bag.

The Sony Ericcson GC85 is small, and does not stick out the side of the laptop as much. In fact, I can safely leave it plugged in. So... no extra stuff to carry arround.

Oh, and let me not start about how I love and trust Sony products. I have had t610 (2years), and s700 (15months+), both never gave me any trouble, and were ahead of their time. I will "trust" in a SE data card, long before I tust MTN or Vodacoms data card offerings.

Can anyone comment on:
1. Is EDGE coverage better or equal to 3G coverage?
2. Is EDGE (256kbps) really that much slower than 3G (386kbps/1.8mbps theoretical) ?
3. Is anything I've said wrong? Please correct me, its the only way I can learn, and Im hear to learn... :)
Click to expand...

First I would like to answer your first two questions.

1. EDGE Coverage is much better than 3G/HSDPA. I'll give you some info on my experience.

Coverage:

MTN have better EDGE Coverage than Vodacom
Vodacom have better 3G/HSDPA Coverage than MTN
Cell-C have good EDGE Coverage but no 3G/HSDPA
Virgin Mobiel uses Cell-C's Coverage

Even though Virgin Mobile doesn't have the best EDGE Coverage I still prefer them.

2. Speed, yes, I agree with you. The faster the connection, the more you spend.

Vodacom has got very nice 3G/HSDPA speed.
Virgin Mobile have better EDGE speed than MTN.
MTN have better EDGE speed than Vodacom

If you want a connection to replace your GPRS then you won't go wrong getting a Sony Ericsson GC85 with a Virgin Mobile Sim Card for 50c/MB.

What the MTN 3G Data card is concerned. You can get it free for R49 per month if I'm right, but as you know you can't use the Virgin Mobile sim in it as yet.
The good thing about getting a 3G Data Card is that when Virgin Mobile launches their 3G service then you have a 3G card.

But like I said earlier. If you don't need those kind of speeds then the EDGE card from Sony-Ericsson is the best option.
 
Last edited:
Piesang said:
If you want a connection to replace your GPRS then you won't go wrong getting a Sony Ericsson GC85 with a Virgin Mobile Sim Card for 50c/MB.

What the MTN 3G Data card is concerned. You can get it free for R49 per month if I'm right, but as you know you can't use the Virgin Mobile sim in it as yet.
The good thing about getting a 3G Data Card is that when Virgin Mobile launches their 3G service then you have a 3G card.

But like I said earlier. If you don't need those kind of speeds then the EDGE card from Sony-Ericsson is the best option.
Click to expand...

How did you say it so well, in such few words. :D

Yea, for me, I think I will happy with EDGE both for speed, and for "cost saving" due to speed limitation. :P

3G is for now, not woth me taking out a third package to have. Im quite happy buying the GC85 (EDGE data card) from Virgin, at the same price (R50pm), and paying for it on one contract. (er... no, Virgin doesnt have contracts.. right ;) )

Interested to know if EDGE covers my home though. (I dont have 3G coverage)

Doesnt matter though, as I will only use this when on the road, becuase I have ADSL at home.. so.. yea.

Thank you all for your help. Any other comments very welcome...
 
my cellphone has EDGE and i get around 31KB/s... so that means in 60 seconds i can spend almost R1 and in 1 hour i can spend R60. So for 1 hour's internet each day i can spend R1800 in a month, and thats on virgin mobile at R0.5 per mb. That means unless ur pockets are real deep i wouldn't know if u really need more speed than that :P
 
br34k said:
my cellphone has EDGE and i get around 31KB/s... so that means in 60 seconds i can spend almost R1 and in 1 hour i can spend R60. So for 1 hour's internet each day i can spend R1800 in a month, and thats on virgin mobile at R0.5 per mb. That means unless ur pockets are real deep i wouldn't know if u really need more speed than that :P
Click to expand...

I won't be using any cellphone network to download 100MB / day. If you want to spend that kind of money for internet then you can just as well get uncapped dsl.
 
br34k said:
my cellphone has EDGE and i get around 31KB/s... so that means in 60 seconds i can spend almost R1 and in 1 hour i can spend R60. So for 1 hour's internet each day i can spend R1800 in a month, and thats on virgin mobile at R0.5 per mb. That means unless ur pockets are real deep i wouldn't know if u really need more speed than that :P
Click to expand...

Ha ha. Yes, thats exactly my point.

So, EDGE can be better that 3G, or HSDPA in that way. Its "cost saving due to speed limitation". :D


But thats a whole other topic. Should I start a tread... ;)
 
I wouldn't get tied down to a non-3g card. With rumours floating around that CellC may get 3G sometime this year I would prefer to be "future safe" and get a 3G card.

I have found Virgin to be pretty reliable. When they first started out there were one or two issues. The speed is very good. I use about 300 megs a month on the network and use it as my primary Internet connection.
 
lol i was just saying :P i hardly ever use my EDGE connection because its so damn expensive, only to check e-mail every now and then.

all these marketing schemes annoy me, cap u to 3GB a month on DSL and then bring out 1024k DSL, so you can reach your cap in 8.3 hours? lol. same with that new HSDPA crap, do i really wanna spend R7.50 on data usage in 1 minute?
 
br34k said:
lol i was just saying :P i hardly ever use my EDGE connection because its so damn expensive, only to check e-mail every now and then.

all these marketing schemes annoy me, cap u to 3GB a month on DSL and then bring out 1024k DSL, so you can reach your cap in 8.3 hours? lol. same with that new HSDPA crap, do i really wanna spend R7.50 on data usage in 1 minute?
Click to expand...

Yea.. thanks for backing me up on that one. :)


Just got an email from Virgin Mobile. They say no SE GC85 data cards in stock, but they do have: "the Sierra Data Card in stock for R1740.00"

Hmm. Any comments an that?

Too much cash Im thinking?...
And its not 3G either, right?

I have no idea which Sierra card she is offering me, could be any of these:
http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/pccard.aspx

JohnnyG
 
Last edited:
br34k said:
my cellphone has EDGE and i get around 31KB/s... so that means in 60 seconds i can spend almost R1 and in 1 hour i can spend R60. So for 1 hour's internet each day i can spend R1800 in a month, and thats on virgin mobile at R0.5 per mb. That means unless ur pockets are real deep i wouldn't know if u really need more speed than that :P
Click to expand...
Yes, but you must be downloading rather than browsing or reading e-mail.
 
JohnnyG said:
Just got an email from Virgin Mobile. They say no SE GC85 data cards in stock, but they do have: "the Sierra Data Card in stock for R1740.00"
Click to expand...
You're getting closer to the price of a 3G card.
 
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