I guess it's too late now but for future reference I'll post this anyway!

If I had got here in time I would have strongly recommended not using 3 for your mobile broadband. In my experience their network coverage is wildly variable and, in general, performance is terrible. Me and my Dad use the service (me through my phone, Dad has a MF622 modem from 3) and both find that evening performance is noticeably worse than daytime. Also you tend to find devices flick between Orange and 3 networks because of their roaming agreement. This doesn't necessarily mean problems for you but it often does result in dropped network and calls for, especially if I'm on the move. I get this with my Nokia 6120 and my Dad says something similar happens with the USB modem although it may not be flicking between networks. It just drops from HSDPA to UMTS to GPRS and then bounces back and most of the time this results on a broken connection.

Also, 3's customer service is utter shite. I had to take them to arbitration before they even listened to my complaints about the total lack of coverage in my area (even though their coverage maps showed full 3G coverage). This said, after almost 9 months of back-and-forth they did sort the problem quite effectively (new mast went up I think so) although I have yet to hear about a refund for the 9 months of service I didn't get!

On the whole, I think it's a case of getting what you pay for. They're good value and the service is mostly passable depending on where you live but if you want something reliable, especially if you plan to use the device while you're moving (train, car) then I'd opt for Vodafone or T-Mobile (or possibly another network but I can only vouch for these two as I have used them).

Jon

2009/6/7 dave <dave@staffslug.org.uk>
dave wrote:
> dave wrote:
>
>> Kris Douglas wrote:
>>
>>
>>> 2009/6/7 Tom Hill <tom@ninjabadger.net>:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> It might be better looking at the devices of this sort that are
>>>> supported by Network Manager.
>>>>
>>>> It's a lot more than it used to be, that's for sure. :)
>>>>
>>>> Tom
>>>>
>>>> stuart bell wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> 2009/6/7 dave <dave@staffslug.org.uk>:
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hello all,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> After the last meeting where people were talking about USB mobile
>>>>>> internet and how they have been getting them to work etc, it got me
>>>>>> thinking.. Hmmm.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So, I'm after peoples opinion on what I should be looking out for (I'm
>>>>>> going to go down the pay as you go route as there is no way I can
>>>>>> justify a monthly contract)
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>> Not much to choose between the deals. Just make sure you get a Huawei
>>>>> E220 modem as ten minutes googling will furnish the info to unlock it.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>> Guys, there's a deal on right now, mine arrived on friday:
>>> http://www.3dongle4free.co.uk. £5 quid for postage.
>>>
>>> The device is unlockable, it also doubles up as a memory card and
>>> works perfectly on Ubuntu.
>>>
>>> The firmware update [for unlock] is here and needs to be run under Windows XP,
>>> instructions included: http://rapidshare.com/files/235523732/ZTE2.rar
>>>
>>> The dongle itself is a ZTE MF627 and there are drivers for Mac OSX,
>>> Linux and even some OS called "Windows" which I believe some people
>>> are still using?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>> Well, tis done, just wait for it to arrive! :o)
>
>


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