3 or O2?

neiliusmaximus

I've been reading some threads here and people seem to be using either three or o2 for mobile broadband. I have some questions that maybe you can answer. Only really want it for browsing so speed isn't much of an issue, but I may be using it all around the country.

3 offers an E169G modem for free or an E 160G (usb stick) which is 49 euro. How does the free modem connect to the laptop? Is it worth going for the usb stick one?

3 say its 19.99 per month by direct debit. Anyone know how much it is if you don't use direct debit? Any hidden charges? Is it the same rate for the entire contract?


o2 say its €20.58 per month. Any hidden charges here? I can't see the pricing for their modem anywhere either.

Anything else I should take into account?

watty

yes.

Some websites don't work with 3
Their email support in past much worse than O2
O2 has better coverage and fall back to EDGE, more likely to connect.
It's easy to be someplace where 3 near 150k or can't connect.
I've not had worse than 700kbps on O2

You need some kind of USB interface modem. Most are. There are harder to get PCMCIA/PCcard and ExpressCard formats which are more expensive but usually slightly more powerful and option for external aerial.

Some USB versions have only internal aerial.

Unless you really need Mobility, try hard to get a Fixed Wireless Broadband, Metro, Cable, fibre or DSL.

Only really want it for browsing so speed isn't much of an issue, but I may be using it all around the country.

• Check the online coverage Maps for 3, Vodaphone, Meteor and O2
• Make sure you try which ever you chose in all your areas/places inside the trial period.
• Make sure your laptop supports the modem and has correct interface (USB, PCMCIA, ExpressCard)
• Check if your laptop comes with a 3G/HSDPA modem built in using miniPCIe, then you only need a SIM
• A USB stick rather than separate USB dongle may not fit your laptop, or not fit when an ajoining USB used. Then you need a short USB joining cable anyway. The Direct Stick into USB socket are more easily broken, esp if you forget to unplug it.

jor el

neiliusmaximus wrote: »

3 offers an E169G modem for free or an E 160G (usb stick) which is 49 euro. How does the free modem connect to the laptop? Is it worth going for the usb stick one?

E169 is USB interface.

neiliusmaximus wrote: »

3 say its 19.99 per month by direct debit. Anyone know how much it is if you don't use direct debit? Any hidden charges? Is it the same rate for the entire contract?

They won't give you it without the direct debit.

The only hidden charges I know if, and they apply to all operators, are the charges for over usage. Go over your cap, and Three charge straight away. O2 have a fair use policy, which means they won't necessarily charge straight away.

neiliusmaximus wrote: »

o2 say its €20.58 per month. Any hidden charges here? I can't see the pricing for their modem anywhere either.

O2 pricing here
http://www.o2online.ie/wps/wcm/connect/O2/Home/Shop/Broadband/Buy+Broadband+now/

I see they've changed their products too. You can only get the 10G cap if you sign up for an 18 month contract. It's 7.5G otherwise, or 5G with the O2 Clear SIM. IMO, the E220 is the best of their modems. It allows you to force a 3G connection, which I don't think the software for the other modems does.

jimmii

jor el wrote: »

They won't give you it without the direct debit.

€24.49/month if you set it up to pay by cash.

Xcellor

o2 were much better to deal with go with them

jor el

jimmii wrote: »

€24.49/month if you set it up to pay by cash.

Really? That's new. I inquired when it first came out and they said no dice. Glad I went with O2 anyway.

neiliusmaximus

Thanks for the helpful advice guys

Dr. Nick

do these operators provide trial periods?

watty

Yes.
Read their fine print before leaving shop.