One of the current ad campaigns promoting 3G broadband promises "the fastest, most reliable mobile broadband in the galaxy", and depicts a 3G-enabled USB flash drive flying through space at lightning-fast speeds. But I doubt very much that anyone would be able to get a reliable 3G signal on Jupiter if I'm still struggling on Earth.
To be fair to Vodafone, we reviewed the company’s USB Modem Stick last month and found the service excellent in most of the areas we tested it. We tried in across central London (excellent coverage), in Hampshire (excellent) and in Preston (excellent).
However, it's probably fair to say I have unrealistic expectations of mobile broadband - what's most important to me is being able to access the web on the train into work in the morning. In that respect, Vodafone's service is patchy, to say the least.
But it was far superior than O2's current offering, which I'm trying out at the moment. I can't get online during my train journey, and I'm struggling at home too (despite O2's postcode checker suggesting I should be able to get decent coverage). That's just my experience, of course – colleagues at PCA who've tried it say coverage is good in other areas.
The problem is, everyone's experience with mobile broadband is different, so it's impossible to provide a definitive rating for the mobile broadband coverage of any operator. What we really need is some sort of try-before-you-buy system, where consumers and business travellers can try out a mobile broadband product in the areas they'll need it the most before signing up. That's particularly important given that many contracts are for 18 months, while those who choose to pay by the month have to pay for the cost of the hardware.
But the prospect of Vodafone, O2, Three and T-Mobile handing out thousands of mobile broadband trials with no guarantee that users will sign up seems as unrealistic as my demand for high-speed internet access on the train. Let us know your experience with mobile broadband, and maybe you could help people in your area pick the right deal.
Comments
Chris said: Vodafone normally 3g in our London office Train from Paddy to Chelt 3g to Swindon then drops to gprs around Kemble Chelt gprs whatever the map says
graham ferguson said: The initial post is wrong carphone warehouse couldnt get enough of these when they first came out I would say its a consumer technology but not as popular as fixed line Simple because fixed broadband has only recently become the norm itself And I suspect its only recently consumers can associate mobile with broadbandI wouldnt say its just for business people I would say its for light users andor people who live in multiple places not always business people People who dont want to pay broadband twice And also for people who dont want to have wires perhaps they are fussy or dont like installsIm surprised nobody has commented on vodafones advertising tactics - the fastest mobile broadband in the galaxy Arent they testing extreme 3G speeds in Germany at the moment Isnt T-Mobile and 3 merging their 3G network so they can offer better 3G service I feel vodafone may have to take down their ads soon
John Goldspink said: I chose Vodafone after consulting coverage maps and it is OK in Milford Haven but 5 miles away it drops to GPRS Other providers cant even do that
Richard Faulkner said: I live in rural area and normal broadband is impossible a friend of mine has bought the 3 dongle to try from Staples and we got GPRS but not 3G even though the transmitter is only 2 miles away across flat ground Only 600 metres from where I live is a O2 mastbut it is not 3G enabled its also right beside the railway you would think that that alone would be useful But O2 do not seem interested in activating the mast so much for help in rural areas as usual
J said: You seem to forget that most people who use mobile broadband are business people who dont care about the cost and usually travel to built up areas This isnt a consumer technology yet