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3 add ons- unlimited broadband, 19.99?

  • 09-03-2007 4:26pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,347 ✭✭✭


    lads,

    whats this unlimited broadband and how does it differer from the 3gig capped service they offer? talk about confusing.....:rolleyes:


«1345

Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,234 ✭✭✭neilled


    Its through a mobile and they probably prohibit the use of your phone as a modem........

    It basically replaces the old week long acess for €10 that three used to offer for mobile websites. Buy three of those and it worked out at €30 a month and you had a download limit of 90mb. At the moment its down with a technical glitch :mad: but in anycase its cheaper than paying to access. All i ever used it for was RTE, BBC, The Guardian etc so it was grand!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 792 ✭✭✭Akula


    I just called them and they said this DOES cover you using your phone as a modem and has full open internet access.

    I asked him whether there was a fair use policy.... he said yes. I said how much was the cutoff point and he said that figure was not specified but that it would be applied "fairly".

    I thought that comreg only ruled recently that operators had to provide details on their fair use policies.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,234 ✭✭✭neilled


    Akula wrote:
    I just called them and they said this DOES cover you using your phone as a modem and has full open internet access.

    I asked him whether there was a fair use policy.... he said yes. I said how much was the cutoff point and he said that figure was not specified but that it would be applied "fairly".

    I thought that comreg only ruled recently that operators had to provide details on their fair use policies.

    Thanks for that akula - the system is at the moment down though :mad: !

    I had based my assumptions on the UK that it would be prohibited but in practise people would do it anyway! Hmmm might have to think about bumping up my broadband package.....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,271 ✭✭✭Yggr of Asgard


    They actualy provide a very simple page with their Fair Use Policies and according to that you have Mobile Broadband Unlimited - 2Gb.

    But it's still a question if that allows me to use my mobile as modem, if it does, than this is way cheaper than the Datacard!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,234 ✭✭✭neilled


    They actualy provide a very simple page with their Fair Use Policies and according to that you have Mobile Broadband Unlimited - 2Gb.

    But it's still a question if that allows me to use my mobile as modem, if it does, than this is way cheaper than the Datacard!

    Could it be some kind of concession based on you already buying minutes from them? Using phone as a modem for this post!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,347 ✭✭✭legs11


    3 DONT KNO WHAT THEIR DOIN IMO,
    x series....unlimited internet

    add ons - unlimited internet

    data card- unlimited internet.


    eh.......:confused:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,234 ✭✭✭neilled


    legs11 wrote:
    3 DONT KNO WHAT THEIR DOIN IMO,
    x series....unlimited internet

    add ons - unlimited internet

    data card- unlimited internet.


    eh.......:confused:

    Eh..... I don't care. Would you rather pay the ridiculous GPRS charges of a cent a kilobyte from the other networks!

    I think the unlimited internet add on is aimed at people who won't have an xseries supported handset it - advanced enough but it won't be able to have all the apps. Hence a great big data lump.

    data card is self explanatory - its a standalone product that doesnt require cables or batteries.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    legs11 wrote:
    lads,

    whats this unlimited broadband and how does it differer from the 3gig capped service they offer? talk about confusing.....:rolleyes:

    Tell me more -where did you see this?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,010 ✭✭✭mkennedy


    hi.
    do you have to actually buy a 3 handset to avail of the "unlimited" data add-on.

    can you just buy say a 3 sim card with e.g 200mins voice and "unlimited" data add-on and put this in an unlocked handset.

    presumably such a handset would have to be a 3g handset to work at all on the 3 network even for voice calls is that right

    also, outside of 3g areas would such an unlocked handset with the 3 sim automatically revert to a backup gprs network (or is there such a thing with 3)?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,611 ✭✭✭✭Sam Vimes


    mkennedy wrote:
    hi.
    do you have to actually buy a 3 handset to avail of the "unlimited" data add-on.
    yes unfortunately. they don't do sim only. but the 6233 is 49 on the lowest tariff so its not that bad
    mkennedy wrote:
    presumably such a handset would have to be a 3g handset to work at all on the 3 network even for voice calls is that right
    yes
    mkennedy wrote:
    also, outside of 3g areas would such an unlocked handset with the 3 sim automatically revert to a backup gprs network (or is there such a thing with 3)?
    they use vodafone's 2g network as a backup. all the phones are set to dual mode by default


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,091 ✭✭✭damo86


    mkennedy wrote:
    hi.
    do you have to actually buy a 3 handset to avail of the "unlimited" data add-on.

    can you just buy say a 3 sim card with e.g 200mins voice and "unlimited" data add-on and put this in an unlocked handset.

    presumably such a handset would have to be a 3g handset to work at all on the 3 network even for voice calls is that right

    also, outside of 3g areas would such an unlocked handset with the 3 sim automatically revert to a backup gprs network (or is there such a thing with 3)?
    1)yes you will,cant just buy a sim
    2)Guess it would work,AFAIK it will have to be 3g handset.
    3)it roams on vodafone's gprs network

    edit:beat me to it vimes!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,611 ✭✭✭✭Sam Vimes


    damo86 wrote:
    edit:beat me to it vimes!
    evil laugh


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,010 ✭✭✭mkennedy


    thanks lads for the prompt replies :)

    that's a pity.
    apparently though according to culabula in another thread you can use the 3 datacard sim in an unlocked non-three phone (3g-enabled).

    this has a 3gb cap and can also be used for skype calls.
    ie potentially a lot of voice and data for a flat rate (39.99 iirc).

    not sure if skype would work in non-3g areas though. anyone know if it does?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,611 ✭✭✭✭Sam Vimes


    mkennedy wrote:
    not sure if skype would work in non-3g areas though. anyone know if it does?
    i doubt it since it need a good bit of bandwidth to operate


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19,080 ✭✭✭✭Random


    3 have left the other operators out in the cold with their new data plans - catch up lads! :(


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,352 ✭✭✭plonk


    Ya old bill was cheap 25 for 200 mins and 18 for 200 texts which was roughly enough my monthly usage, now it will be 29 plus 10 39 euro. They were cheap and now their cheaper.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,869 ✭✭✭skearon


    i doubt it since it need a good bit of bandwidth to operate

    Skype on the X-Series actually places a GSM call to a 3 number which then routes it over the Skype network.

    A good review of it is here: http://www.smstextnews.com/2006/12/skype_on_threes_x-series_-_the_test_.html

    Obviously the real Skype client on Windows Mobile or Fring on Symbian will use data


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    skearon wrote:
    Skype on the X-Series actually places a GSM call to a 3 number which then routes it over the Skype network.

    A good review of it is here: http://www.smstextnews.com/2006/12/skype_on_threes_x-series_-_the_test_.html

    Obviously the real Skype client on Windows Mobile or Fring on Symbian will use data

    Yes and since january the number called is now part of 3 like home' and no longer incurs any roaming charges as hitherto.

    Presumably the Irish X-series will work in similar fashion.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,664 ✭✭✭rogue-entity


    Well, Skype are working on a Symbian port, which would use the data network for its calls.. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/28/symbian_skype_delayed/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    Well, Skype are working on a Symbian port, which would use the data network for its calls.. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/28/symbian_skype_delayed/

    Excellent!


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 847 ✭✭✭mickger


    I have my Motorola razr v3x set up as a USB modem on my laptop. What settings do i need to get the unlimited broadband service to work? Would be handy to have as a back up in case my NTL goes down.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    mickger wrote:
    I have my Motorola razr v3x set up as a USB modem on my laptop. What settings do i need to get the unlimited broadband service to work? Would be handy to have as a back up in case my NTL goes down.

    You have to subscribe to the add-on first. Are you using it with Mac or Windows?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,091 ✭✭✭damo86


    ciaranfo wrote:
    3 have left the other operators out in the cold with their new data plans - catch up lads! :(
    just popped a email to o2 with links to the 3 data addons on the website,asking do they have anything to compete with this,waiting to hear from them now..interesting to see what they have to say for themselves!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19,080 ✭✭✭✭Random


    damo86 wrote:
    just popped a email to o2 with links to the 3 data addons on the website,asking do they have anything to compete with this,waiting to hear from them now..interesting to see what they have to say for themselves!!
    Let us know :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,201 ✭✭✭quintron


    Question.

    Does Broadband MB bundles use a different access point? If not, won't any page loads (eg 3 Portal) be considered data downloaded and thus be taken from your MB allowance?
    I'm curious to know how they can monitor MB allowance separate from 3 Portal free browsing etc. (I'm referring here to the very finite 100 and 250MB bundles).

    Another access point seems a logical choice?
    Anyone know how this is achieved? Or is this the case at all?

    Also in "My 3" can you check your remaining MB allowance on said bundles?


    Apologies, not in the mood for dealing with 3 reps this evening!
    Has anyone broached this with them or know the ins 'n' outs using it today...
    Cheers.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    quintron wrote:
    Question.

    Does Broadband MB bundles use a different access point? If not, won't any page loads (eg 3 Portal) be considered data downloaded and thus be taken from your MB allowance?
    I'm curious to know how they can monitor MB allowance separate from 3 Portal free browsing etc. (I'm referring here to the very finite 100 and 250MB bundles).

    Another access point seems a logical choice?
    Anyone know how this is achieved? Or is this the case at all?

    Also in "My 3" can you check your remaining MB allowance on said bundles?


    Apologies, not in the mood for dealing with 3 reps this evening!
    Has anyone broached this with them or know the ins 'n' outs using it today...
    Cheers.

    As far as we can gather the APNs are one and the same: 3ireland.ie

    Page loads account for very little data transfer: that's why they offer X-series as 'unlimited' whereas it is in reality just 1GB per month but for mobile browsing only (in the UK).

    As I have reported earlier on another thread I was told that X-series in Ireland (if it ever materialises) will allow use of phone as a modem. As we can see from last night's changes, attitudes to data and pricing are much more inventive and generous than those of the UK arm of 3.

    My 3 will allow you to check your remaining MB balance (it seems to be updating in real-time); you can achieve the same by dialling 333 and listening to a variety of accents (plus a Scottish woman shouting at you) before eventually hearing your current balance. My 3 will also tell you your current spend (updated in real-time).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,201 ✭✭✭quintron


    Should be a different apn. You'd easily reach 800kb on portal browsing alone. What if you want to download or play a video clip? Soccer highlights, RTE News etc.. All of these are currently free but the data usage can be quite high there especially if going for the 100MB bundle!
    If its the same apn then logically this is seen as data and would be taken from your balance in real time.. no? tell me I've missed something simple here.. If its url based then they would have those proxies flagged or boxed off which I suppose would not eat into your data allowance..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    There is no change in the data allowance when I use my dataSIM to browse the portal, watch RTE News etc. It just remains the same.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,201 ✭✭✭quintron


    Cheers culabula.
    Thats that settled then :)
    Looking for catches being the cynic that I am.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    We've looked at my APN (datacard) and one supplied in a handset (PAYG): they are the same.

    I frequently use my dataSIM in a handset and browse the portal for the little it offers. I have lost no kb whatsoever :-)

    Even using it for VoiP has resulted in very little data being used up (I use voice on MSN and Skype via fring). In Feb I managed to use a whopping 500mb out of 3GB in the whole month!

    Wish it rolled over......

    PS: Last night I watched Corrie in a pub on Sth William St using the 3 datacard via LocationFree! Not only was the the quality superb (shame about the writing), but it barely used up 100mb.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 847 ✭✭✭mickger


    culabula wrote:
    You have to subscribe to the add-on first. Are you using it with Mac or Windows?

    I subscribed to the 5.99 bundle just to try to get it working and i'm using Windows.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    mickger wrote:
    I subscribed to the 5.99 bundle just to try to get it working and i'm using Windows.

    OK. You should be able to configure it using Motorola Tools as supplied on the CD. I seem to recall that there's a wizard. The APN needs to be 3ireland.ie (which should also be the 'telephone number' for Motorola scripts). I can gt it working easily enough with my Mac via Bluetooth but not via USB.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 847 ✭✭✭mickger


    culabula wrote:
    OK. You should be able to configure it using Motorola Tools as supplied on the CD. I seem to recall that there's a wizard. The APN needs to be 3ireland.ie (which should also be the 'telephone number' for Motorola scripts). I can gt it working easily enough with my Mac via Bluetooth but not via USB.


    I got connected but they have this thing where in order to get on boards.ie and many other sites you have to verify your age to Three by bringing a drivers licence or passport to a three store :confused: Speed was ok but would only use this if i was desperate.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 29 smithdogg AU


    damn.. i was just reading up on 3

    why can't i just get a SIM? i already have a nokia E65 which i wouldn't mind using with 3 (on vodafone prepaid at the moment) but i guess that isn't an option if they don't give me the sim


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,010 ✭✭✭mkennedy


    damo86 wrote:
    just popped a email to o2 with links to the 3 data addons on the website,asking do they have anything to compete with this,waiting to hear from them now..interesting to see what they have to say for themselves!!


    who thinks that this development signals the end of rip-off voice/data charges on the other networks..

    lets hope vf and o2 respond soon and maybe let voip use on their networks as well.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    mkennedy wrote:
    who thinks that this development signals the end of rip-off voice/data charges on the other networks..

    lets hope vf and o2 respond soon and maybe let voip use on their networks as well.

    I have used VoiP with the Vodafone USB modem. Also iChat (video and audio).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,201 ✭✭✭quintron


    Early days I know...but, got the 100MB bb to test.... and I can't access websites or my email on my N73.. Called thrindia.. they are having technical difficulties..said it should resume within 24 hours. Anyone else in the same boat i.e is it a blackout accross the board or just patchy drizzle...?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,630 ✭✭✭Blaster99


    For future reference, any half-decent mobile billing system can make on-portal traffic FOC. They use URL patterns to determine the rate.

    To answer a question further up in the thread, the difference between this add-on and a datacard is that most phones will not go above standard 3G speeds, ie 384kbps. 3's datacard does 3.6Mbps on a good day. I'm sure there are some phones that can do HSDPA and there will be more in the future, but it's something to keep in mind for now.

    A very nice thing with these add-ons is that you can turn them on or off on a monthly basis, so if have a temporary need to use it you can pay for it for a month and then cancel it again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14,403 ✭✭✭✭jimmycrackcorm


    What happened to X-Series -the link has dissappeared off the home page. Also won't having an unlimited broadband package essentially give the same as X-Series?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    What happened to X-Series -the link has dissappeared off the home page. Also won't having an unlimited broadband package essentially give the same as X-Series?

    Agree it's very confusing but X-series across the 3 group is supposed to be for mobile phone browsing only (up to 1 gig) with unlimited, Skype, Slingbox and Orb thrown in on X-Series Gold -NOT part of the 1GB allowance and unlimited based on the supposition (for example) that only a looney would watch more than 80 hours of TV on an N73 or make more than 5,000 minutes of Skype calls in a given month.

    "Unlimited" mobile broadband on the other hand seems unique to Ireland, reasonably generous and *without* the X-series caveat that you may not use your phone as a modem.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,201 ✭✭✭quintron


    xseries features skype, orb & slingbox integration among other things, in applications specifically written for certain handsets, namely N73, W950i and the E65 at present. The current data bundles are available for all 3 handsets.

    The skype client does not use data in xseries. You can of course use fring etc on the unlimited bb package, but basically they are not the same.
    You could cobble together other apps to do similar things as xseries I'm sure...

    Going on uk pricing, xseries should also be cheaper if its a direct monetary translation, though with the introduction of these data bundles it kinda changes things methinks.. such as further delays in launch while they see how the data bundles are pubically received... and possibly a different pricing structure once xseries is eventually introduced...
    anyones guess really.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,201 ✭✭✭quintron


    culabula wrote:
    "Unlimited" mobile broadband on the other hand seems unique to Ireland, reasonably generous and *without* the X-series caveat that you may not use your phone as a modem.

    Aren't people in UK using their xseries handsets as fallback modems anyway? 3 says you can't do it but theres nothing actually stopping people using it as a modem..
    Bring on more HSDPA handsets I say.. pref a symbian one...!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    quintron wrote:
    Aren't people in UK using their xseries handsets as fallback modems anyway? 3 says you can't do it but theres nothing actually stopping people using it as a modem..
    Bring on more HSDPA handsets I say.. pref a symbian one...!

    Some are and some are getting huge bills. 3 can tell the difference.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,201 ✭✭✭quintron


    I would hope not under moderate usage? Those people getting huge bills are probably d/ling torrents overnight or something.. ;)
    Big brother how are ya..


    :::update:::
    see what you mean...
    pot luck

    http://www.talk3g.org/showthread.php?t=3903


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,213 ✭✭✭culabula


    quintron wrote:
    I would hope not under moderate usage? Those people getting huge bills are probably d/ling torrents overnight or something.. ;)
    Big brother how are ya..

    Hope not too: I know that some people are reporting getting bills and have admitted using their phone as a modem (which 3 repeat in the blog you are not allowed to do).

    So, hopefully, they've stopped.

    But 3 UK may soon change their policy on this.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,664 ✭✭✭rogue-entity


    Bah, Blaster99, you beat me too it, I was just going to say, that 3's portal uses "mobile.3ireland.ie" so when they are billing, all they have to do is search for "mobile.3ireland.ie, and minus out any data transfers to that address, and only bill for the sites outside their portal that they billed you for before on that Mobile Websites thing.

    You can buy the add-ons from your handset, pretty cool, but I wonder how it works for 3Pay customers, on 3's website, the add ons are not an option for them. I think it is about time that some network launched sensible and good data plans, I will try it out soon enough and I will probably stick with it, 30Eur isnt bad for 200 minutes and 100Mb of internet usage (on the phone) per month, since I have bb at home and in college.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,201 ✭✭✭quintron


    30Eur isnt bad for 200 minutes and 100Mb of internet usage (on the phone) per month, since I have bb at home and in college.

    New plans are 29 for 200 mins and 6 for 100mb...but if you are already on 25pm then you will continue to be billed at that till contract expires...
    culabula wrote:

    So, hopefully, they've stopped.
    But 3 UK may soon change their policy on this.

    They say they are reviewing policy alright but tbh it will be a while before they allow it I'd say.. too many options for consumers, less datacards sold and less "down the pipe" = less profit..


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,664 ✭✭✭rogue-entity


    I am on 25pm, and according to the sales rep, that will continue as long as I remain on that plan, if I move off it, I cant move back, only fair. But, I can still apply an add-on to my existing plan, without changing it, so I could get the 100 texts, or the 100Meg BB package for an extra 6 yoyos, and the nice part with add-ons, is you can drop them after the month is up if it doesnt work for you. I may try that with the BB package, and stick with my current plan, until X-Series is launched, then I can see what plans will work better. If SkypeOut works properly with 3, it could be a good way to save on calls, particularlly international ones.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 847 ✭✭✭mickger


    The age verification thing in order to get into sites is ridiculous. I have to go into a three store with my Passport in order to get boards.ie and gmail and the majority of other sites. Its pure stupidity :mad:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,869 ✭✭✭skearon


    Well, Skype are working on a Symbian port, which would use the data network for its calls.. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/28/symbian_skype_delayed/

    Unfortunately they have been working on it for so long it's now regarded as VapourWare :-)

    However Fring is available now, I run it on my Nokia E61 and it is handles Skype, Google Talk and MSN


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