3G Technical Advise and Opinions

Umiq88

Considering switching over to mobile broadband and looking for a bit of advise.

First off I'm aware that most people are quite disatisfied with their service and don't accept mobile broadband as an alternative but from what I can see with the right equipment it is. I currently have a DSL service and I'm getting 0.7Mbit/s which is poor. I have an iPhone on Meteor and consitantly get over 4Mb/s in the evenings.

I've done a fair bit of digging around but can't get answeres to the following.

1. What network to go with. Is HSPA+ available in Ireland? Is this specific to individual service providers and is this specific to masts/locations.

2. I understand MBB speed suffers from congestion. Is there any way to check the amount of traffic being used on local masts? I don't want to sign up and trial 4 different providers and then have to cancel. I have my phone on meteor and am getting good speeds and like their plans so I'm leaning towards going with them on a 30day contract.

3. What setup to go for. Currently I'm looking at getting a E353 modem and using it with a Dovado Tiny router. My plan is to mount this on an external wall of the house facing the nearest mast. I'll then run ethernet cable into the house and connect it to a router. I've seen other nice routers but the Dovoado is supposed to have a power cycle feature in the even the signal drops which is very useful. It can also monitor usage etc.

4. Will an antenna improve my signal. My intention is to set everything up without and external antenna and see what signal I'm getting. Can someone please clarify if an external antenna will increase speeds or only signal. What I mean by this is if I get a reasonbale signal from the dongle will I get better speeds if I mount an external antenna which gives better signal.

eirator

Your item 3. is a fail before you start, afaik the E353 does not work with any Dovado routers, so check that with them first.

-=al=-

Tp-Link 3g routers work fine for less

1. I'd avoid 3 since they're pretty much pushing they're internet most and look at meteor since they have reasonable data limits for a reasonable price but all the networks will work differently for your location... the trick is to find the one with the best signal where you are

2. Not that I know of but I'm sure they're all maxed out

3. If you get good signal indoors then you should be ok with a huawei b260a or a tp-link/dovado

4. If you're getting decent signal you should be ok without an external antenna It might boost it a bit but an extra bar or 2 of signal won't increase the speed much

I've pretty much exhausted everything in the 3g area for internet since I can't get anything fixed (Living in Dublin) and my setup is a Huawei b260a with a meteor sim on the roof running a cat5 cable into the main router in the house and it works as good as any other fixed connection I've used... It's on 24/7 works fine...



Pretty much the constant speed there

This thread might be of use http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056698625

Umiq88

The E353 is compatible with Dovado its not listed on their website as the 3 version is slighty different and isnt compatible all other ones are.

It might be worth starting a new thread for routers but I was leanin towards the dovado tiny for a few reason but the main being that it has proper power cycling. Now I don't understand this fully but it seems to be crucial to maintaing a good signal. It also seems to have more features such as sms activation and checking your usage. Also the obvious benfit that its 'tiny' and if I'm away for a week I can take it with me and use it wherever I want.

eirator

Power cycling of the dongle is only any use if you have a remotely located router and you can't just switch it on and off.

It would be handy for me as I have a half mile walk to switch my router on and off, if it was on the desk next to be I wouldn't need it.

If you are going away for a week just take the dongle.

Umiq88

Just to follow up with what I've ended up doing.

Meteor E353 Dongle with €15/month 50GB Mobile Broadband.

I originally intended on buying the Dovado and may still but found an old Vodafone router at home. After a lot of searching through forums, updating firmware and altering config files I got it to work.

So for all those midband haters, I find it a great service and connection. Maybe I'm very lucky that I happen to be close to an uncongested mast but all the same a great servie.

I've gone from 0.7MB/s at €45 a month (inc landline calls) to 5.5MB/s for €15. Can't argue with that.

long_b

Peter_HMR wrote: »

with €15/month 50GB Mobile Broadband.

Come again?

Umiq88

Meteor have a deal on at the moment €25/month for 18month contract with 30gb data allowance. The deal is €10 off each month for the first year which is €15 a month. They are also giving 50GB data allowance when you check your balance online.

long_b

Peter_HMR wrote: »

Meteor have a deal on at the moment €25/month for 18month contract with 30gb data allowance. The deal is €10 off each month for the first year which is €15 a month. They are also giving 50GB data allowance when you check your balance online.

Ah, the unofficial 50 GB. Customer care deny it exists but it seems some people are it.
Would cash in one or both of my two 20 GB tenner a month dongles in a flash !

-=al=-

I pay 25€ for 50GB for some reason works fine and consistent as fck

but yeah was supposed to be 30GB

long_b

-=al=- wrote: »

I pay 25€ for 50GB for some reason works fine and consistent as fck

but yeah was supposed to be 30GB

Never had any extra charges ?

-=al=-

Nein

I only went over it once, but sure enough it says 50GB on the data plan