Internet for train use - 3G/GPRS enabled?

MichaelR

Hello,

I would like to get a mobile Internet connection that would be usable on a train ride (Limerick to Dublin). As apparently no provider has 3G coverage all/most of the way, the ideal solution would work over GPRS when 3G is unavailable.

Does any mobile provider give this at the moment? (I do need it on a computer, not on a mobile phone).

I know Three does not. I thought Vodafone did, but their Support said otherwise.

PogMoThoin

Plug Your existing phone into your pc (if its 3g, if not upgrade) and get a data package

MichaelR

My current phone does not have 3G.

Will all 3F phones work as modems? Don't want to spend too much on a phone.

Theoretically your best choice would be O2, as they have EDGE fallback on their network when 3G is unavailable. Vodafone falls back to standard GPRS. Meteor's coverage isn't good enough for use on the train, I tried a couple of times going from Dublin to Tralee with a Huawei E180 and it just didn't cut it.

MichaelR

Karsini wrote: »

Theoretically your best choice would be O2, as they have EDGE fallback on their network when 3G is unavailable. Vodafone falls back to standard GPRS. Meteor's coverage isn't good enough for use on the train, I tried a couple of times going from Dublin to Tralee with a Huawei E180 and it just didn't cut it.

Vodafone support told me that their broadband dongle does not fall back to GPRS - it will not work at all where 3G is absent. (However, they did say I could use the handset).

What about O2's dongle? Will it fall back to EDGE? (This may mean O2 is the winner).

MichaelR

MichaelR wrote: »

Vodafone support told me that their broadband dongle does not fall back to GPRS - it will not work at all where 3G is absent. (However, they did say I could use the handset).

What about O2's dongle? Will it fall back to EDGE? (This may mean O2 is the winner).

That's odd. I installed a Vodafone dongle in work today and it connected on GPRS (the 3G signal is rubbish in my job). It was horribly slow but it worked.

I also tested O2 back in November 2008 with a Huawei E220. I remember it connecting on EDGE for certain, I just don't know if they've rolled out EDGE on all their cells. Meteor have enabled EDGE on some but mostly only those in cities.

missyfirefly

Asfaik voda fall back to GPRS for sure.

Three only have 3g so in areas with no 3g you'll get nothing.

Meteor is all edge but 3g coverage isn't widespread enough yet.

O2 replaced their Gprs with edge years ago so in terms of what you're looking for they're probably the most favourable option.

I wouldn't get a new phone just because you want to use as a modem cos most networks have prepaid Mobile Bb options that are relatively cheap.

punkindrublic

I am with o2 (using an iPhone) and I use my phone on the train (Sligo-dub line) all the time. When 3g isn't available it switches to edge though beware it eats up your credit like crazy!

MichaelR

missyfirefly wrote: »

O2 replaced their Gprs with edge years ago so in terms of what you're looking for they're probably the most favourable option.

O2 have just confirmed to me that their Mobile Broadband modem *will* fall back to EDGE/GPRS.

They added a caveat that they can't guarantee coverage on the entire journey anyway, but this is still a winner.