what's the story with vodaphone

geordief

Apparently they are starting broadband -in the UK.Is this of any use to us in rural areas? (outside Clifden)

Sponge Bob

in (or near coz its in a hole innit) Clifden yes, they have a 3g mast there.

Its €50 a month for their 3G BB package , search for vodafone or voda or hsdpa threads on this board

govinda

The UK offering is different, they're using BTs network in the UK to offer this service over landlines:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/11/10/voda_broadband/

"The mobile operator's Vodafone at Home service will offer its consumer contract customers 8Mb unlimited broadband service nationwide, on the back of BT's network. They will also get inclusive landline calls within the UK and 25 per cent off mobile calls.

The service will cost £25 a month and will include what the telco describes as 24/7 UK-based support. Customers also get a suite of Norton Internet Security software.

Given this is a mobile firm, you might be surprised to hear it's offering a mobile USB modem at £58, which apparently is half price, so customers can log on on the move.

Naturally, there are provisos. Punters will have to sign up to an 18 month contract. If they cancel their Voda mobile contract, the monthly cost jumps to £35. The unlimited broadband is subject to fair use. The inclusive landline calls are up to 60 minutes and exclude, among other things, non-geographic numbers.

The service doesn't actually go live till January."

Sponge Bob

but voda offer 3g BB ( not ADSL) off their mast and there is no alternative BB in Clifden bar maybe lightnet, http://www.lightnet.ie/

geordief

well I think Clifden (and maybe Cleggan) is actually getting broadband this coming month os so .The roads are all dug up.But it doesn't extend outside the town.
If I signed up to a mobile BB package I wonder if that would allow free phone calls.Otherwise it it just peering at a small screen with not much word processing?

Sponge Bob

thats the ' MAN ' , seeing as its about 50 miles from the nearest fibre it will be of no use for years . the 3g is a separate card that you get (in adition to your phone) . You plug it into a laptop ....unles the laptop is spanking new in which case there is no card for the recent slots.

http://www.vodafone.ie/terms/paymonthly/index.jsp#unlimiteddata

and

http://www.vodafone.ie/soho/price/dataroaming/3ggprsplans/index.jsp

geordief

Can you also plug it into a desktop?

Sponge Bob

a palaver but yes, you need a PCI-PCMCIA card or else you put the card into this router

http://www.elara.ie/products/detailsfull.asp?productcode=ECE1121637&productID=S3025899

and hook the network in the pc to it, it may need a firmware flash too.

geordief

that's great
thanks

DaBreno

Im using a 3G broadband USB modem from Vodafone, plugs straight into the USB port of a laptop and desktop. Not cheap at €50 a month but its an option for those outside BB exchanges.