Options for mobile internet from laptop

none

Hi,

I'm exploring available options for going online on the go. Getting a netbook with built-in 3G modem and trying to choose the best plan for pre-paid mobile Internet.

Participated in Meteor Broadband trial so have their data SIM. Also have a normal SIM for voice calls which I occasionally used to go online from the mobile phone. Their 50MB for 99c option (http://www.meteor.ie/mobileinternet/payg_pricing/) is quite handy but I'm not sure if it can be usable from the laptop (as opposed from the handset) - can anybody please confirm it? I mean, I don't need much, just email, search and shopping so no big requirements with regard to speed and traffic. I think 50MB should be more than enough for a day. Did anybody try it?

The other option from Meteor is, of course, their attractive 30 day Broadband pass (http://www.meteor.ie/bbtg/payg/pricing/). I used their BB during the trial and it was grand, much better than 3 (which I don't even consider as an option now). Did they manage to retain the quality as I didn't use it beyond the daily pass provided for the trial?

I'm more interested in the first option (50MB for 99c) as I don't really need it for 30 days continuously, just workdays in the office. But I'm prepared for the 30 day BB pass if it's not really viable.

Any comments?
Cheers

Random

I've moved your thread over to the Midband forum. You'll probably get a better response here. I've left a permenant redirect from the Mobiles forum.

Make sure you read the charter

mk6705

You can use the 50 MB for 99c from the laptop. 50 MB should be enough for what you need. Use the APN 'data.mymeteor.ie'.

watty

Meteor has worst 3G coverage, though increasing
Vodafone best coverage
O2 has EDGE and 3G, so slightly better capacity and good coverage.
3 is worst service quality, and their coverage maps are much more optimistic than Vodafones, not as good as they Claim.

50Mbyte might be enough if you only do email and occasional browsing with flash disabled and no video. It's very very low for a laptop, that's 1.5GByte a month if you use it EVERY day equally. Usage tends to be more erratic than that, so a 30day rolling cap or Monthly cap is better value, i.e. a Monthly 1G Byte is more useful than a daily 50Mbyte limit that is a total of 1.5GByte because some days you would use 200M and other days nothing.

I think 2.5GByte is an absolute minimum for a laptop. The 50M a day is Smart Phone usage (and good amount for a Smart Phone).

experimenter

3 Ireland is the only way to go.. see the link below.

I dumped Vodafone ages ago, as the service was totally crap...

I know several users that are very happy with the 3 Service.

http://www.three.ie/broadband/nbs.htm

watty

That's anecdotal. See http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055115306

3 is easily the worst service. They won NBS not because they are good but cheapest of the two remaining (both Mobile, non-Broadband solutions).

About 10% of 3 Users will get great service. About 25% Moderate service. Nearly 40% will get less than Moderate of those up to 1/2 will experience severe issues.

"experimeter" just happens to be someplase that has few 3 users and a poor vodafone signal.

The NBS doesn't really exist. It's just 3's Mobile service. The Satellite alternative is the only "NBS" ingredient and as of Aug 2009, not launched yet.

Why 3, Meteor, Vodafone and O2 3G/HSPA services don't scale and some people have perfect service and others a rubbish service:
http://www.radioway.info/comparewireless/CompareHSPAandFixed-v4.html

jor el

experimenter wrote: »

3 Ireland is the only way to go.. see the link below.

Thousands would disagree.

experimenter wrote: »

I dumped Vodafone ages ago, as the service was totally crap...

All 3G services have the capacity to be terrible, there are too many variables to account for. None of them should really be recommended over another. Trialling the service is the only way to know what works, though I would put them in order of preference as O2, Vodafone, Meteor and then Three.

experimenter wrote: »

http://www.three.ie/broadband/nbs.htm

The NBS is a sad joke.

experimenter

watty wrote: »

That's anecdotal. See http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055115306


"experimeter" just happens to be someplase that has few 3 users and a poor vodafone signal.

Sorry that you disagree with me, but I can only speak of what I know, but since you are the GOD :eek: of this forum, I will keep my thoughts to myself.

Plus you have no idea as to where I am so you are talking through your *** :cool:

professore

experimenter wrote: »

Plus you have no idea as to where I am so you are talking through your *** :cool:

Probably sitting in a leather chair in 3 HQ stroking your goatee ....

jor el

experimenter wrote: »

Plus you have no idea as to where I am so you are talking through your *** :cool:

We don't need to know where you are, but we do know that you're in an area with few Three users, and good signal, otherwise you'd be in the same boat as the thousands of people who have crap Three service.

none

Thanks for the feedback:) As I said, I only consider pre-paid options so Meteor and 3 seem to be the only alternatives. I have a 3 SIM and used it a few times.

Here are 3 tests:

|20081207|23:30  [375/48][ping:170]
|20081124|19:49  [662/226][ping:164]
|20081118|23:21  [378/48][ping:162]
|20081117|23:18  [645/93][ping:170]

While here's Meteor:

|20081206|23:29  [2058/354][ping:156]
|20081206|23:24  [2111/300][ping:155]
|20081206|23:15  [1313/287][ping:163]
|20081206|22:54  [1222/354][ping:141]
|20081206|19:17  [790/352][ping:157]
|20081206|19:08  [800/350][ping:157]

I know, that was trial for Meteor so perhaps now it's worse but still, judging by the feedback here, it appears to be a tough task to beat 3 to the bottom of the BB quality league of Ireland.

Cool that I can use 50MB for 99c on the computer, I'll try it;)

mk6705

none wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback:) As I said, I only consider pre-paid options so Meteor and 3 seem to be the only alternatives. I have a 3 SIM and used it a few times.

Here are 3 tests:

|20081207|23:30  [375/48][ping:170]
|20081124|19:49  [662/226][ping:164]
|20081118|23:21  [378/48][ping:162]
|20081117|23:18  [645/93][ping:170]

While here's Meteor:

|20081206|23:29  [2058/354][ping:156]
|20081206|23:24  [2111/300][ping:155]
|20081206|23:15  [1313/287][ping:163]
|20081206|22:54  [1222/354][ping:141]
|20081206|19:17  [790/352][ping:157]
|20081206|19:08  [800/350][ping:157]

I know, that was trial for Meteor so perhaps now it's worse but still, judging by the feedback here, it appears to be a tough task to beat 3 to the bottom of the BB quality league of Ireland.

Cool that I can use 50MB for 99c on the computer, I'll try it;)

I use Meteor as a backup when my broadband gives issues. Over GPRS it's fairly slow...but it's reliable. Over EDGE you should be able to do the few things you're listed you need this for comfortably.

experimenter

professore wrote: »

Probably sitting in a leather chair in 3 HQ stroking your goatee ....

:D Sounds like you have lots of experience.

none

Anyone knows if this Three Add on can be used from a 3G modem (as opposed from the handset) - Mobile Surfing 1GB, Monthly Cost - €9.99??

Dogster

experimenter wrote: »

Plus you have no idea as to where I am

I could take a guess ?

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a0/HK_Cheung_Kong_Centre_top_70th_floor.JPG

Be happy in your work !

Cabaal

Dogster, like any other user its not your place to start refering to people as shill's.

If you have a concern then report posts, otherwise your attempting to backseat mod.

experimenter, nobody gives a monkeys where you are, the only confirmation I want is if you are employed by Three or its contractors, if you are then I suggest you make this known when posting about Three.

none

none wrote: »

Anyone knows if this Three Add on can be used from a 3G modem (as opposed from the handset) - Mobile Surfing 1GB, Monthly Cost - €9.99??

As I said in the other post, I tried it and it worked So using it now and it seems doing all I need so far.