Vodafone's 3G Launched in UK – Fast Data Access on the Move

[Jonathon Watkins]

The BBC has an interesting article up about Vodaphone launched its third generation mobile phone service: "Admittedly, you cannot yet make phone calls over the network, as they are only offering a data card for your laptop to give you fast internet access on the move. And while you could use your fast connection to make internet phone calls from your laptop when you are on the train, that is not going to be the main use. It will be used to download e-mail, surf the web and get access to corporate networks at speeds that are as good as wi-fi, and you will not have to sit hunched over a tepid latte while you work." Ooooh, you tempters! :dilemma: <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/Fast Data card.jpg" /> <br /><span><i>It gets the job done - fast</i></span><br /><br />"And quite soon there will be 3G handsets too, although they will be advertised for their good looks, voice quality and fast e-mail access, not the apparently unwanted ability to make video calls." I never quite understood the great attraction about video calls, especially first thing in the morning. :morning: <br /><br />"It is reassuring that Vodafone still has faith in 3G because it really is a lot better than GSM or any other second generation mobile service. If they had pulled out, or delayed much longer, then it could have fuelled the idea that 3G is dead and we should either stick to GSM or wait for the next technology to come along - 4G or 5G or whatever strange acronym emerges from the standards-setting process." Hey, they're probably working on 7G already. :? <br /><br />"…..Vodafone's move into 3G is to be welcomed. And their realisation that it is data on the move, not video calls, that will drive the market is astute and, I believe, entirely correct." So, what do you reckon? Is he on the money? Pat was wondering if the card could be used in PDAs in PCMCIA sliders. How much are you looking forward to using 3G networks?

[freitasm]

I was under the impression that this card was made by Option (Belgium), the same one that makes the Vodafone MCC. Anyway, one of our users came up with the procedure to use the Vodafone MCC on his iPAQ, and it works fine. I believe it should be feasible for this card too.

[yslee]

Question: How much is the 3G service going to cost? *gets ready for some serious sticker shock*

[Jonathon Watkins]

Question: How much is the 3G service going to cost?

If you have to ask the price.......... :?

[freitasm]

Got a couple of e-mails asking how to use the Vodafone GPRS card (not the 3G card!) on an iPAQ. Here it goes: http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=7&TopicId=411

[Aerestis]

I like that stuff like this is getting better and better.

[dMores]

i want to brag and point out that austria has had 3G data AND voice service for over a year now.
the first handsets were horribly big, and you didn't manage to use the phone for an entire day with two batteries, but the latest phones seem to work fine.

prices are amazingly low. voice tariffs rival those of 2G carriers, and data prices are similar to GPRS.
one thing i find pretty interesting is that all price plans include a certain amount of data you can download.
there are no dedicated pc-cards that offer data-only in austria, but you an download as many emails as you want to your phone, and you can send up to 100 (lowest price plan) per month for free. download video clips, ask for directions and a whole lot more, with roughly 30 units being free per month per service. coupled with 200 free minutes voice, and the current deal of 0.00,- per minute for calls within "3" for the rest of your life, this is really starting out great.

you might want to check out www.drei.at to see what might be coming to your country.

[naquada]

Question: How much is the 3G service going to cost? *gets ready for some serious sticker shock*

its madly expensive!!! I posted my thoughts on my blog http://www.naquada.co.uk/archives/000060.html

The price of the packages range from 'low' at £11.75 for 5mb per month with 2.35 per mb over that, up to 'power' at a whopping £99.99 per month with 500mb and a charge of 50 pence per extra meg.. oh and you have to buy the data card as well (at either £200, £150, £130 or £100 depending on the package you opt for)

If you sign up before October 1st you get the special rate(!!) of £23.50 per month for 50mb and up to 1000mb for £99.99 per month..

Call me stupid.. but my unlimited 2mb line at home is less than £99.99 a month!! I want to connect to the office when out in london not have a dedicated satallite link!!

and the coverage is 'selected' if no 3g network is available (anywhere except london, manchester and smaller m4/m25 areas) it will swap to normal gprs..

oh and check out the ROAMING COSTS!!! even to other voda networks in the world its massively expensive but to other networks its no real no goer!!

[mgd]

In Spain, Vodafone's offer is:

400€ for the card
15€ a month for service
1€ per megabyte of data

[jonathanchoo]

3G has been launched a year ago through '3'. So the article should be retitled as Vodafone's 3G services launched in UK.

[Jonathon Watkins]

3G has been launched a year ago through '3'. So the article should be retitled as Vodafone's 3G services launched in UK.

Fair point. Done. Ta! :D

[Zack Mahdavi]

I can't wait for 3G to make its way to the US.... okay, well at least Dallas and Austin.. :)

Seriously though, I think a 3G network with unlimited data access would make my life even more mobile. Sure, I connect via bluetooth from my laptop and Pocket PC to my TMobile GSM cell, but dialup speeds is nothing like "Broadband To Go!" :mrgreen:

[Janak Parekh]

I can't wait for 3G to make its way to the US.... okay, well at least Dallas and Austin.. :)
1xRTT accomplishes speeds decently close to current "3G" services. While on my trip in Seattle, I got decent bandwidths (last time I checked, 100kbps) on Verizon, and the plan is $44.95/mo. for unlimited data.

Verizon is also field-testing 1xEV-DO, which has about 300-600kbps in select cities for $79.95/mo. for unlimited. :) Only in Wash. DC and San Diego for now, but more is to come.

AT&T has also deployed EDGE, although I've heard it actually performs worse than 1xRTT. 8O

--janak

[Zack Mahdavi]

I can't wait for 3G to make its way to the US.... okay, well at least Dallas and Austin.. :)
1xRTT accomplishes speeds decently close to current "3G" services. While on my trip in Seattle, I got decent bandwidths (last time I checked, 100kbps) on Verizon, and the plan is $44.95/mo. for unlimited data.

Interesting... but I'm guessing the $44.95 doesn't include any voice services? It looks like the PDA/Smartphone plans combine the Voice and Data minutes?