A simple question on Mobile broaddband

David · Oct 27, 2009, 17:12:13

Ok So I am looking on sites trying to work out what exactly this service is so bear with me.

I am with TMobile on contract which is up for renewal in a week or so.

Now can T Mobile service replace my home phone service or is is just for roaming

Is it better ?

What can I expect if I sign up I have seen the phones and the dongles whatever they are called

I have no real idea what this is about I can get onto the internet at present with my Viewty but its not the greatest thing and limited to ceertian sites I think

So those who understand this put me out of my misery

Steve · Oct 27, 2009, 17:21:00

Mobile broadband as I understand it is simply a broadband connection via a 3G mobile device. You often have a device which is a called a 3g dongle which plugs into your computer/laptop and then allows you to connect to the internet akin to adsl broadband. You can achieve something similar with a 3g mobile phone and a laptop this is called tethering.

The performance depends on the presence of a 3G signal

see here as an example http://www.three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband

David · Oct 27, 2009, 17:31:45

Steve

quandam · Oct 27, 2009, 17:45:34

bpp

Think, location, location, location. Poor location = poor service

David · Oct 27, 2009, 17:49:34

Thanks Q have just looked and entered post code and it looks like good coverage for where I am both in and outdoors I am just reading up on it all..and at least getting an understanding of converting Gigs to Download s ..

quandam · Oct 27, 2009, 18:11:23

Glenn · Oct 27, 2009, 19:47:40

Both T-Mobile and Three's coverage will be the best in the country within approximately 3 years, due to their joint venture upgrading and installing transmitters, the aim is for 98.7% coverage of the UK mainland

David · Oct 27, 2009, 20:20:49

Thanks Glenn I am gradually getting to grips with this

Lance · Oct 28, 2009, 06:37:21

The only problem with it is that th speed will, almost certainly, be slower than your BT line and the ping times are generally slower as well.

David · Oct 28, 2009, 10:47:58

Thanks lance am checking O2 now as ...so in theory I can have both as mobile is noting to do with home line

Simon · Oct 28, 2009, 12:20:09

Why do you need mobile broadband, David?

Gary · Oct 29, 2009, 06:24:04

Quote from: Glenn on Oct 27, 2009, 19:47:40
Both T-Mobile and Three's coverage will be the best in the country within approximately 3 years, due to their joint venture upgrading and installing transmitters, the aim is for 98.7% coverage of the UK mainland

The problem with the frequency they work on, 1800mhz is that it does not penetrate buildings as well as say Vodafone and O2 who operate at 900mhz, think of it as music, you hear Bass through your wall but not treble, its the same for the high frequency signals with T-Mobile, 3 and Orange, depending on where you are in relation to a mast of course. Never believe the maps, they may tell you you get reception with any operator, and you can get home and have none. The only way is to try one out. Also phones running on 1800mhz tend to use more battery than 900mhz as they have to do more work, not so bad with today's phones but if its a poor signal area it will eat juice. Vodafone offer a femtocell now, so you can guarantee high 3G coverage within your own home, at a price of course.