Paul Jacobson - Latest Comments in Mobile broadband

Re: Mobile broadband

Roger — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:40:53 -0000

Dell Laptops To Offer Qualcomm Gobi Mobile Broadband

Dell (NSDQ:Dell) and Qualcomm paired up Tuesday to offer next-generation laptops that enable users to access multiple 3G cellular networks globally, the two companies announced Tuesday.

According to Dell, the company's next-generation laptops will be imbedded with Qualcomm's new Gobi mobile broadband technology, which lets notebook manufacturers ship Gobi-equipped notebooks in all global distribution channels to deliver roaming and connectivity capabilities across worldwide networks.

More info at http://broadbandmobile.blogspot.com/

Re: Mobile broadband

Craig — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:22:36 -0000

Paul I found the cheapest way to pickup an HSDPA modem is to take the MTN MyChoice TopUp 75 contract. You end up paying about R83 per month and you get a free modem as well as R75 airtime. Then since my ADSL line hasn't been installed in my new house yet and MTN has only EDGE coverage I bought a Vodacom Prepaid Starter Pack (R2) and then charged the airtime up through my online banking to buy a 1GB data bundle (R289) using a mobile phone - no calls. Bigger bundles are available as well. If you run out, you can recharge your bundle when it is under 10MB remaining. Quick and easy.

Re: Mobile broadband

Craig — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 03:22:36 -0000

Re: Mobile broadband

Craig — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:22:36 -0000

Re: Mobile broadband

Paul — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:54:33 -0000

Thanks Andrew. There are a couple services that will also hire out the devices for as long as they are needed. I might try one of those.

Re: Mobile broadband

Andrew — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:33:43 -0000

I've been using a MTN USB HSDPA modem (the little black one) for almost a year now without any particular issues. I would sincerely recommend that you don't buy your modem from MTN or Vodacom and rather just look for a normal non-branded (and without modified firmware) modem. The particular model that you're looking for is the Huawei E220 USB HSDPA modem (the "bug" modem).

About the only other thing to give any serious thought to is whether or not you'll get your bandwidth on a contract or via pay as you go. The pay as you go service on MTN is an absolute bloody nuisance to deal with - to convert minutes to bandwidth, you must put the SIM into a cellphone and phone 141 and then go through the voice prompts to make the conversion. To make matters even more irritating, you can only convert airtime to bandwidth once per month on any given SIM card. As a side effect of this, I am now the proud owner of 4 MTN SIM cards which are rotated so that I can exceed their 2Gb per month idiocy.

Other than daft corporate policies and absurdly expensive bandwidth cost, I am very happy with my internet connection.

Re: Mobile broadband

Andrew — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:33:43 -0000

Re: Mobile broadband

Andrew — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:33:43 -0000