3 USB data plans 10GB vs 3000?

Solair

Could some please explain what is available on the 3 Data 3000 plan vs the 10GB plan

I'm considering the USB modem and dumping mobile broadband unlimited on the handset.

Urban Weigl

The 10GB plan will not roam onto Vodafone's network, whereas the 3000 plan will. Also, it is not possible to make calls or send SMS messages on the 10GB plan.

Solair

And what are the limits?

Is 10GB a data transfer limit or a download limit?

And what exactly are the limits on the 3000 plan?

culabula

Whatever you do on it -web, eMail, VoiP and so on will incur data transfer and this will use up the cap available. 1mb over the 3GB cap and you will pay 49c. 1mb over the 10GB cap and you will pay 5c.

The 10GB SIM cannot roam on anything other than 3's sister networks.

Urban Weigl

Both are transfer limits, e.g. includes downloading and uploading!

culabula

But I am extremely concerened about something I'm reading in the new T&Cs which is completely contrary to what I had been told. It is this sentence (with regard to the 10GB tariff):

"Service available only on 3's HSDPA network In Ireland ".

Urban Weigl

Probably just means that in Ireland, it will only work on 3's HSDPA network. Won't roam onto Vodafone. At least that is what I have been told.

culabula

Well, I will be getting this clarified in the morning: no good to me if it doesn't work in Belfast.

Sam Vimes

culabula wrote:

Well, I will be getting this clarified in the morning: no good to me if it doesn't work in Belfast.

i don't think it will. i was fairly sure that this modem didn't roam at all. i could be wrong about that but i won't bother calling customer care to ask. they'll assure me that it works in the UK because they think i live there


and as regards "HSPDA only", it wouldn't surprise me in the least. people would live with degraded quality but the idea that 3 would bring in an all or nothing policy seems about right

culabula

Commander Vimes wrote:

i don't think it will. i was fairly sure that this modem didn't roam at all. i could be wrong about that but i won't bother calling customer care to ask. they'll assure me that it works in the UK because they think i live there


and as regards "HSPDA only", it wouldn't surprise me in the least. people would live with degraded quality but the idea that 3 would bring in an all or nothing policy seems about right

It's supposed to -the original information that I posted was that it would roam only on 3 in all their territories -I still have that info here (including Israel (sic) -they meant Indonesia). They repeated that to all the many, many customers snapping up the modem tonight in 3's store on Grafton Street.

Sam Vimes

Ye i heard it would work on 3 networks abroad the same as the phone add on (another pointless restriction). If theres a 3 network in the north it might work

culabula

It seems it's just 3's way of putting things -I think Urban is correct. I've just reread all that they have to say about it.

They are definitely saying that it will roam in all 3's foreign operations. But I'll ring the shop in the morning.

Myxomatosis

HSPDA only?

So it can't be used recieving a normal 3G signal?

Urban Weigl

Myxomatosis wrote:

HSPDA only?

So it can't be used recieving a normal 3G signal?

3's network in Ireland is HSDPA only at this point. It could receive a standard 3G signal if one were available.

culabula

3 have confirmed to me that the device will roam as stated on the sister networks abroad without charge. The wording on the site remains both specific and confusing.

"Voice and text services unavailable on Mobile Broadband 10Gb tariff. Service available only on 3's HSDPA network In Ireland (85% population coverage)."

smcelhinney

I think its changed? Now says

Voice and text services unavailable on Mobile Broadband 10Gb tariff. Service available on 3's HSDPA network in Ireland (85% population coverage) and on 3 networks abroad (HSDPA) only.

Blaster99

This 10GB service is cracking value, is it not?

culabula

smcelhinney wrote:

I think its changed? Now says

Well spotted! Boy, am I good at giving out. I think I'll start a business complaining for people.

culabula

Blaster99 wrote:

This 10GB service is cracking value, is it not?

Fabulous

gabbo is coming

I currently have ADSL with UTV Internet, and pay 16 odd euro for a 1 MB, 6GB sh**ty-VPN-dropping service.

Why would I not use this 19.99 service from 3? I don't use the laptop other than in the house - are there disadvantages I'm missing? What is the actual speed like - is it good with Skype?

smcelhinney

just make sure you have coverage. seems like people who have used it and are in areas of coverage like it, others want more bandwith.. no surprise there.. :rolleyes:

also, not hijacking, but thanks cula for the APN info for the Mac in the other thread.. i was bewildered as to why it didnt work!!

culabula

gabbo is coming wrote:

I currently have ADSL with UTV Internet, and pay 16 odd euro for a 1 MB, 6GB sh**ty-VPN-dropping service.

Why would I not use this 19.99 service from 3? I don't use the laptop other than in the house - are there disadvantages I'm missing? What is the actual speed like - is it good with Skype?

No reason: I have often used Skype on it as well as videoconferencing with iChat.

Urban Weigl

You will save a lot if you also cancel your landline. If there is any disadvantage, it would be the higher latency (about 100ms versus 50ms with DSL). That is only going to be a problem if you are a gamer, though, and only with some games like Quake.

gabbo is coming

thanks for the info

GoneShootin

Any idea on what kind of coverage this service has nationwide?

Myxomatosis

85% of the population.

http://www.three.ie/coverage/index.htm

GoneShootin

So in effect if you have 3G coverage in your area then you should see the benefit of the device? If you don't have 3G coverage is there much point in going for it? And 85% of the population is of no use to me if 85% of the population is not living in rural areas

cormie

Is there a contract term for using this?

Will I be able to use my laptop as I usually would when it's connected to broadband? Using VOIP and everything like that?

Does this:

** Voice and text services unavailable on Mobile Broadband 10Gb tariff. Service available on 3's HSDPA network in Ireland (85% population coverage) and on 3 networks abroad (HSDPA) only.

just mean that you can't use the sim card to put in your phone to make calls and texts or does it mean you can't use VOIP on your laptop using the modem

culabula

cormie wrote:

Is there a contract term for using this?

Will I be able to use my laptop as I usually would when it's connected to broadband? Using VOIP and everything like that?

Does this:


just mean that you can't use the sim card to put in your phone to make calls and texts or does it mean you can't use VOIP on your laptop using the modem

It just means the former; you may VoiP away to your heart's content (up to 10GB a month).

cormie

Sounds good:)

Is there actually a sim card in the little modem you get then?



Is there a min contract term does anyone know and do you just pay by Direct Debit or something yeah?

Any special offers where you can pick up a free modem I wonder?:D

culabula

cormie wrote:

Sounds good:)

Is there actually a sim card in the little modem you get then?



Is there a min contract term does anyone know and do you just pay by Direct Debit or something yeah?

Any special offers where you can pick up a free modem I wonder?:D

a) Mais oui
b) 12 months
c) Yeah
d) You're kidding, right?

cormie

Thanks for the info. 12 months is a bit much. Might wait a bit and see what the competitors have to offer!

culabula

cormie wrote:

Thanks for the info. 12 months is a bit much. Might wait a bit and see what the competitors have to offer!

It's always going to be be a minimum one-year contract -they have to subsidise the modem.

Urban Weigl

It is going to be hard to beat 3 on price, though it should be possible to beat them on service. The only cheaper offer I have seen was in Italy, where it is €19.00 a month and you get the modem for free, however that is with a 24 month contract.

cormie

culabula wrote:

It's always going to be be a minimum one-year contract -they have to subsidise the modem.

But if we have to pay €129 for the modem, what's there to subsidise? Unless I'm missing something and we don't actually have to pay for the modem and just have to pay the €20 per month?

culabula

cormie wrote:

But if we have to pay €129 for the modem, what's there to subsidise? Unless I'm missing something and we don't actually have to pay for the modem and just have to pay the €20 per month?

The modem costs 3 more than that -that IS the subsidised price. In Italy and Austria where the populations are much greater than that of Ireland 3 can afford to be seen to be generous and charge 3€ for the modem -in exchange for a 24 month contract.

Fact is, we're getting 10GB for 20€ to use in Ireland and in 8 other countries. It's a very good deal.

Urban Weigl

cormie wrote:

But if we have to pay €129 for the modem, what's there to subsidise? Unless I'm missing something and we don't actually have to pay for the modem and just have to pay the €20 per month?

This is what the modem would cost if it was not subsidised: http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=141528

And to me, the main attraction of the service is not its speed, but the fact that it is portable. It is great to be able to do things on your laptop while not at home. You could even work from a park bench or a coffee place. I remember the day when I used to pay hundreds of euros a month for a handful of megabytes of GPRS traffic (!!!).

cormie

£229:eek:

Ok, I'll shut up now, maybe 12 months isn't so bad.

This would be a very handy service for me so I might go for it. I see below it says you can use it in any country that has the 3 network. You say you can use it in 8 countries. Do only 8 countries have the 3 network so far? What happens when you're not in a 3 network zone, will it just not work or is there a way to connect by paying a payg charge or anything?

culabula

Urban Weigl wrote:

And to me, the main attraction of the service is not its speed, but the fact that it is portable. It is great to be able to do things on your laptop while not at home. You could even work from a park bench or a coffee place. I remember the day when I used to pay hundreds of euros a month for a handful of megabytes of GPRS traffic (!!!).

Agree totally; I remember looking in vain for cybercaffs in foreign cities all over the place -those days are gone. Another small benefit is that I no longer spend 15€ and over per train trip on magazines, periodicals and newspapers twice a week. The internet keeps me amused and I can read most of those online instead.

culabula

cormie wrote:

£229:eek:

Ok, I'll shut up now, maybe 12 months isn't so bad.

This would be a very handy service for me so I might go for it. I see below it says you can use it in any country that has the 3 network. You say you can use it in 8 countries. Do only 8 countries have the 3 network so far? What happens when you're not in a 3 network zone, will it just not work or is there a way to connect by paying a payg charge or anything?

9 countries now have 3, 8 others beside Ireland. The deal with the new tariff is that it only works in those countries, nowhere else. If you want voice, text and (some) roaming, then you have to get the 3GB @ 40€ a month.

cormie

Is there a list of the 9 countries anywhere do you know? I presume Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland are 4 of the 9 anyway, then I heard Italy mentioned above too and I think I remember hearing the Netherlands had it too?

culabula

cormie wrote:

Is there a list of the 9 countries anywhere do you know? I presume Ireland, Wales, England and Scotland are 4 of the 9 anyway, then I heard Italy mentioned above too and I think I remember hearing the Netherlands had it too?

Erm, on the 3 site?

Wales, England and Scotland are not 'part of the 9' as those countries form part of the United Kingdom and together are a unit known as Great Britain.

the Netherlands are not a 3 territory. Have a look at three.com

caster

Urban Weigl wrote:

This is what the modem would cost if it was not subsidised: http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=141528

Is this the actual modem that 3 supply?

culabula

caster wrote:

Is this the actual modem that 3 supply?

Yes.

cormie

Does anyone know how well this would work on the move, as in, if I had a laptop on the passenger seat of a van while going 100kmph, would it keep disconnecting? Could I rely on it to have an important call over VOIP while driving along I wonder.

Also, what are the consequences of terminating the contract prior to the twelfth month I wonder.

I ask too many questions:D

culabula

cormie wrote:

Does anyone know how well this would work on the move, as in, if I had a laptop on the passenger seat of a van while going 100kmph, would it keep disconnecting? Could I rely on it to have an important call over VOIP while driving along I wonder.

Also, what are the consequences of terminating the contract prior to the twelfth month I wonder.

I ask too many questions:D

I use it all the time on an express train; there are disconnections -around 5 per 160km trip.

The consequences would probably be having to pay the remainder of your contract off.

I wouldn't rely on Voip for any important call even under optimum conditions.

cormie

Cool, thanks for the info. Would they be 20 second disconnects or would it take about 5 mins each time to get back online?

odie007

Hi All have been using my 3g 10gb broad band and its pretty cool doesnt seem to be too many snags.. Blueface wont work on it but thats not really suprising, Skype does but uploads are slow getting 56k.. Brings me back to the old days..

culabula

cormie wrote:

Cool, thanks for the info. Would they be 20 second disconnects or would it take about 5 mins each time to get back online?

Getting back online is going to depends on where you are; it could be a matter of seconds to reconnect or you could be hurtling through Dunleer and wait 5 minutes for a fresh signal.

Urban Weigl

odie007 wrote:

Hi All have been using my 3g 10gb broad band and its pretty cool doesnt seem to be too many snags.. Blueface wont work on it but thats not really suprising, Skype does but uploads are slow getting 56k.. Brings me back to the old days..

I think 3 may be shaping the upload speed, at least at the moment, since I am also only getting 56k. In contrast, with Vodafone, I get 384k. Talking about the upload speed here of course, not the download speed, which is significantly faster in both cases, though 3 has the clear edge there.