Thinking of switching mobile broadband provider

3DataModem

I'm currently on 3 with one of the ZTE MF622 modems paying 19.99 per month for 15GB.

I'm located in Sutton, and up to recently the speed is pretty good (I download torrents occasionally and play PS3 games too with not too many problems).

However three blocks some sites that I require for work (including my companies own gambling-related website) so that limits what I can do when working from home.

Now that both O2 and Vodafone are charging 19.99, I'm thinking of switching (my contract is up).

O2 seem to have the best coverage in my area, but how do their modems compare? Any advice appreciated.

jor el

The modems are all pretty much the same. The quality of service is purely down to the network you're on.

3DataModem

jor el wrote: »

The modems are all pretty much the same. The quality of service is purely down to the network you're on.

Thanks for the info.

On O2's site they seem to suggest a pretty significant different between the modems they offer (one is free, one is €49). Are they really the same?

watty

Not much difference in reality.

some have a slightly higher peak speed (that only applies in 3% of situations).

3DataModem

OK that's interesting

Follow-up question; does anyone know if I can get my existing modem "unlocked" and just pop an O2 SIM in it.

watty

Probably. Google is your friend.

ttm

3DataModem wrote: »

OK that's interesting

Follow-up question; does anyone know if I can get my existing modem "unlocked" and just pop an O2 SIM in it.

Google will also help you find some unbranded software you can load once its unlocked but you don't have to got that far. ZTE don't publish there own software like Huawei do.

jor el

I unlocked my E220 for free, but I'm not familiar with the ZTE model. You could also search eBay, as there are many people offering an unlock service for phones and mobile modems, usually for around €15-20.

Not sure if O2 will sell you a SIM only though.

emmemm

3DataModem wrote: »

I'm currently on 3 with one of the ZTE MF622 modems paying 19.99 per month for 15GB.

I'm located in Sutton, and up to recently the speed is pretty good (I download torrents occasionally and play PS3 games too with not too many problems).

However three blocks some sites that I require for work (including my companies own gambling-related website) so that limits what I can do when working from home.

Now that both O2 and Vodafone are charging 19.99, I'm thinking of switching (my contract is up).

O2 seem to have the best coverage in my area, but how do their modems compare? Any advice appreciated.

I play poker online and may be using 3 soon as they are erecting a mast nearby.Do they block poker rooms and sportsbook sites?

watty

You can sometimes be on shared IP, and then if someone else blocked you are.
If the mast is busy with phone calls and about 20 other data users in your area it may drop your connection or not let you connect.

Latency (repsonse time) is typically about 0.2s but can rise to 2 seconds. So time critical applications are unreliable.

For anying regular involving money that could be lost if your connection goes slow or disconnects, you want real broadband, not Mobile Internet.


O2 offer "free sims" on the website. This may be for phones. But there is no different types of sims, only services that they enable a Sim for.

3DataModem

emmemm wrote: »

I play poker online and may be using 3 soon as they are erecting a mast nearby.Do they block poker rooms and sportsbook sites?

The block Full Tilt Poker (the application, not the website).

They don't seem to block any other gaming / poker sites.