Help me identify economical 3G compatible phone to use as modem

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Jimbobtx3

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Its my first post.

Howdy, when it comes to phones I know very little in the world of hundreds of different models with all sorts of different features. I'm finding it very difficult to locate what I am looking for. Hopefully someone can lend a hand.

I am trying to purchase a phone suitable for use as a modem for Vodacom 3G. I don't want the latest and greatest. Just something that will work for me. What I want is,

1. 3G HSDPA compatible

2. bluetooth

3. compact size

4. secondhand, unlocked, not stolen and under R1000

What sort of models should I be looking at if I want these things? So far I've found it hard to identify which phones are actually 3G data compatible. There are so many different models!

I'd prefer a nokia model but as long as it has above features it will fit my purpose. I don't care for silly little cr p cameras or hard drives etc etc.

thanks in advance.
 
Hey there!

I have just recently switched over to 3G and I am using a new Samsung U700 which I got on a Weekender Plus contract for around R145 per month. I was spending too much on pay-as-you-go! :(

Although I am also a Nokia fan, this Samsung works extremely well as a 3G HSDPA modem and my download speeds are great 24/7!!

1. 3G HSDPA compatible - YES!

2. bluetooth - YES!

3. compact size - YES!

4. secondhand, unlocked, not stolen and under R1000 -- errr ... nope!:(


Hope you get what you are looking for! ;)
 
You might find a second hand Nokia 6233 or 6234 (same phone except for the housing) or even a 6630.

Vodacom have the 6234 on special but its a bit over R1000.

All phones mentioned use a DKU-2 or CA-53 true USB cable and are plug and play provided you load Nokia PC Suite BEFORE you connect the phone to your PC.
 
The Nokia 6234 is not HSDPA capable. Got rid of one recently and bought a 6110 Navigator, which works great, though expensive...
 
Huawei makes a handset a V710, I think its HSPDA enabled, should be around R1500 brand new.
 
Thanks everyone for the replies,

It seems I'm very silly and I have no chance of getting a HSDPA phone for under R1000.

So now I'm going to ask, what is the difference between normal 3G (if there is such a thing) and HSDPA??

I'm really sruggling to understand all the differences.

I'd like speeds up to 1.5MPS but I think the only way to get this is HSDPA? What speed is 3G? hmmm thats probably not the right way to put it, is it....
 
Jimbobtx3 said:
Thanks everyone for the replies,

It seems I'm very silly and I have no chance of getting a HSDPA phone for under R1000.

So now I'm going to ask, what is the difference between normal 3G (if there is such a thing) and HSDPA??

I'm really sruggling to understand all the differences.

I'd like speeds up to 1.5MPS but I think the only way to get this is HSDPA? What speed is 3G? hmmm thats probably not the right way to put it, is it....
Click to expand...

Max 3G - 384kb/s
Max Hsdpa(depending on the phone) - 3.6MB/s
 
Jimbobtx3 said:
Thanks everyone for the replies,

It seems I'm very silly and I have no chance of getting a HSDPA phone for under R1000.

So now I'm going to ask, what is the difference between normal 3G (if there is such a thing) and HSDPA??

I'm really sruggling to understand all the differences.

I'd like speeds up to 1.5MPS but I think the only way to get this is HSDPA? What speed is 3G? hmmm thats probably not the right way to put it, is it....
Click to expand...

JK8 (he of no location) already answered the speed question but it's also important to note the uplink speeds.

'Normal' 3G - 384Kb/s down / 64Kb/s up
HSDPA - 1800Kb/s down / 384Kb/s up
3.6 HSDPA - 3600Kb/s down / 384K/s up (not yet available)

HSDPA handsets are very new and therefore will carry a hefty pricetag. You'll probably also battle to get secondhand one at this stage.

A better value option might be to get a normal 2G phone with all the features you require and then rather buy a secondhand HSDPA data card. I suspect they'll become available in numbers as people start switching to 3.6 in the not too distant future.
 
Ok, thanks

Well it looks like HSDPA is the way to go. Datacard is no good to me as I have express slot. To fork out for an express card or usb modem, I may as well buy a HSDPA phone.
 
Jimbobtx3 said:
Ok, thanks

Well it looks like HSDPA is the way to go. Datacard is no good to me as I have express slot. To fork out for an express card or usb modem, I may as well buy a HSDPA phone.
Click to expand...

I suspect a 3.6Mb/s (like the E220) or 7.2Mb/s (like the UX870) capable phone is going to be much more than a data card.

If you're going to be on-line for more than an hour or two per day, I'd strongly suggest getting a data card instead of locking your phone into modem duty for the period.
 
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