3 Mobile Broadband MiFi

jd007

Thinking about buying this, just a couple questions.

1. I have a good connection using the dongle, will mifi improve it or will it be more or less the same.

2. Do I have to enter another contract with Three if I buy it from them?

PJTierney

jd007 wrote: »

Thinking about buying this, just a couple questions.

1. I have a good connection using the dongle, will mifi improve it or will it be more or less the same.

2. Do I have to enter another contract with Three if I buy it from them?

I'd also like to know this.

culabula

jd007 wrote: »

Thinking about buying this, just a couple questions.

1. I have a good connection using the dongle, will mifi improve it or will it be more or less the same.

2. Do I have to enter another contract with Three if I buy it from them?

If you buy it either on upgrade or on contract from Three, then yes, you will be entering a new contact.

Connection is going to depend on the circumstances around you. I find that MiFi is very good, much better than the e220 which proceeded it, though nothing beats using the iPhone as a modem. Nevertheless the ability to connect several peripherals by wifi at the same time is a boon. In optimum circumstances, it's fast and reliable.

If you wish to avoid a renewed contract, then buy it in Belfast on 3UK PAYG and unlock it or else buy it already unlocked from eBay.

PJTierney

How can I tell in advance if I'm gonna have a good connection in my area? (I'm between 2 towns, 5+ miles apart, on the N21 from Limerick to Tralee)

Matt Bauer

PJTierney wrote: »

How can I tell in advance if I'm gonna have a good connection in my area? (I'm between 2 towns, 5+ miles apart, on the N21 from Limerick to Tralee)

Check the coverage map on 3's website. It will give you some indication of whether you can expect to get a good connection or not.

If you are satisfied that you are likely to get a good connection, try it. I think you have 7 days (maybe even 14, but make sure first?) to return it. So you could try it for a few days. If it doesn't work, you can return the device for a full refund and get out of the contract.

Just make sure you do that in time. If you're a day late, you'll be stuck in a contract you don't want.

And finally, if this is for home use and you can also get DSL, go for DSL. Vodafone for example only charge €40 (€35 if you are a vodafone billpay customer) for DSL and line rental in a bundle, so it's not that expensive.

Apolloyon

I've tried to search for this problem but had no luck so if it's been asked before, just point me in the right direction!

I just got my MiFi and it's all good...so far. I'm on 3Pay. I topped up and I'm having problems applying my add-on. It won't allow me until I've set up what mobile/dongle I'm using. There's no option for the MiFi on the list. Anyone any ideas on what to do here? Cheers!

culabula

Apolloyon wrote: »

I've tried to search for this problem but had no luck so if it's been asked before, just point me in the right direction!

I just got my MiFi and it's all good...so far. I'm on 3Pay. I topped up and I'm having problems applying my add-on. It won't allow me until I've set up what mobile/dongle I'm using. There's no option for the MiFi on the list. Anyone any ideas on what to do here? Cheers!

Is it not listed as the e5830 or somesuch?

manufan16

warlikedave wrote: »

doesnt seem to be - device manager is telling me that it is working properly and i looks like the right driver installed as well - any other suggestions?

maybe try setting your wireless receiver to be either G or B or N whatever it is rather than letting it choose automatically. right click properties should get you to that menu

jor el

PJTierney wrote: »

How can I tell in advance if I'm gonna have a good connection in my area? (I'm between 2 towns, 5+ miles apart, on the N21 from Limerick to Tralee)

Without trying it, or getting someone else to try it, at your location, there's no way to know what you'll get.

Apolloyon wrote: »

I just got my MiFi and it's all good...so far. I'm on 3Pay. I topped up and I'm having problems applying my add-on. It won't allow me until I've set up what mobile/dongle I'm using. There's no option for the MiFi on the list. Anyone any ideas on what to do here? Cheers!

If it's not listed as E5830, or similar, choose anything at all. The type of modem is irrelevant.

jd007

culabula wrote: »

If you buy it either on upgrade or on contract from Three, then yes, you will be entering a new contact.

Connection is going to depend on the circumstances around you. I find that MiFi is very good, much better than the e220 which proceeded it, though nothing beats using the iPhone as a modem. Nevertheless the ability to connect several peripherals by wifi at the same time is a boon. In optimum circumstances, it's fast and reliable.

If you wish to avoid a renewed contract, then buy it in Belfast on 3UK PAYG and unlock it or else buy it already unlocked from eBay.

Thanks for that. Just one more thing. If I buy the prepay in the Republic then can I just put my Bill pay sim card into that?

PJTierney

Matt Bauer wrote: »

Check the coverage map on 3's website. It will give you some indication of whether you can expect to get a good connection or not.

If you are satisfied that you are likely to get a good connection, try it. I think you have 7 days (maybe even 14, but make sure first?) to return it. So you could try it for a few days. If it doesn't work, you can return the device for a full refund and get out of the contract.

Just make sure you do that in time. If you're a day late, you'll be stuck in a contract you don't want.

And finally, if this is for home use and you can also get DSL, go for DSL. Vodafone for example only charge €40 (€35 if you are a vodafone billpay customer) for DSL and line rental in a bundle, so it's not that expensive.

I might try the 1 week trial then. I used a USB dongle before and it failed hard..

PJTierney

Here's a pic of my apparent coverage from 3's site:

Apolloyon

jor el wrote: »

If it's not listed as E5830, or similar, choose anything at all. The type of modem is irrelevant.

Many thanks for that!

jay93

has anyone got this to work on windows 7 im thinking of getting one but if it doesnt work on my system it would be a waste of buying it both laptops in my house have windows 7 ??

PJTierney

PJTierney wrote: »

Here's a pic of my apparent coverage from 3's site:

Should I just try the thing and see what happens?

Ricky91t

PJTierney wrote: »

Should I just try the thing and see what happens?

Well you're covered so I don't see why not!

culabula

jay93 wrote: »

has anyone got this to work on windows 7 im thinking of getting one but if it doesnt work on my system it would be a waste of buying it both laptops in my house have windows 7 ??

I am not a Windows user, so perhaps there's something I don't know about -but what would be the problem? You turn the thing on, create a wifi signal and you then log on to that from your computer.

culabula

jd007 wrote: »

Thanks for that. Just one more thing. If I buy the prepay in the Republic then can I just put my Bill pay sim card into that?

Yes.

culabula

jd007 wrote: »

Thanks for that. Just one more thing. If I buy the prepay in the Republic then can I just put my Bill pay sim card into that?

But the prepay in Ireland will cost you twice the price of an unlocked unit from eBay.

culabula

jay93 wrote: »

has anyone got this to work on windows 7 im thinking of getting one but if it doesnt work on my system it would be a waste of buying it both laptops in my house have windows 7 ??

From the 3 site:

Easy to use.

Just turn on your wireless modem, switch on connection to the 3 network, and select the Wi-Fi function. Then choose the Wi-Fi option on whichever device you're using. There's no need to load any software to get online using the wireless modem.

ralphie

jay93 wrote: »

has anyone got this to work on windows 7 im thinking of getting one but if it doesnt work on my system it would be a waste of buying it both laptops in my house have windows 7 ??

I have one working with Windows 7 and so far its been fine.Its a bit fiddly with the lights showing colours and not bars so you dont know what strength your signal is.Unfortunately I had to upgrade to this when I couldnt get my E220 modem to work with Windows7 and get caught for a new 12 month contract.

jay93

ralphie wrote: »

I have one working with Windows 7 and so far its been fine.Its a bit fiddly with the lights showing colours and not bars so you dont know what strength your signal is.Unfortunately I had to upgrade to this when I couldnt get my E220 modem to work with Windows7 and get caught for a new 12 month contract.

hi thanks for the replies to my question everyone i must have missed on the 3 website about not having to load software to the system so thats grand now i have the E160G modem and it doesnt work to good with windows 7 ..signal indicator doesnt really bother as i know the signal strenght from having my old modem i can leave the modem in my own bedroom an get full signal :D:D ill be going pre pay as i cant get contracts not 18 yet ..again thanks for replies:):):)

Cryos

Very happy with it at the moment hot the E5830 unlocked from ebay, stuck the vodafone sim in it and configured up the APN, absolutely fantastic device. Im lucky enough that the corporate VOIP is working fine on it! (Thans UC )

seaniebanmkII

hey, does anybody know if MiFi works in NBS areas? I currently have an E180 with a CPE repeater. Just thought I'd throw it out there before i ring the boys in India .

jor el

There's nothing special about NBS, it's the same network. They may not supply the Mifi on the NBS contract though, so you'd just have to buy it.

seaniebanmkII

Thanks jor el, I'll give it a go....

JasonR16

seaniebanmkII wrote: »

hey, does anybody know if MiFi works in NBS areas? I currently have an E180 with a CPE repeater. Just thought I'd throw it out there before i ring the boys in India .

You just have to buy it - I was quoted €69

seaniebanmkII

JasonR16 wrote: »

You just have to buy it - I was quoted €69

Thanks JasonR16, I think I'll get it. We have two laptops and a PS3 at home and only one modem, somethings gotta give!!

wheres me jumpa

Three called today and offered this on an upgrade. 19.99 one off payment, followed by 19.99 a month contract. Im considering it. Largely because I have been using my dongle to play online (ps3). And this would save sharing my connection with an unsightly cable! Anyone using the MiFi with online games? Should I expect the performance to be greater with MiFi than with my existing dongle (I seem to have decent coverage ).

evolutionqy7

jay93 wrote: »

has anyone got this to work on windows 7 im thinking of getting one but if it doesnt work on my system it would be a waste of buying it both laptops in my house have windows 7 ??

lol you dont need an os to work it it works through wifi lol..if you want to use it as a dongle too it works with windows 7...running W7 Ultimate 64/32 here

beware - 3 are dropping their traffic allowances so be aware of this if you are signing a new contract or upgrading or even if you are a prepay customer (NBS is exempt but am still awaiting verification on this)

http://www.three.ie/terms/customer_notification.htm

jd007

warlikedave wrote: »

beware - 3 are dropping their traffic allowances so be aware of this if you are signing a new contract or upgrading or even if you are a prepay customer (NBS is exempt but am still awaiting verification on this)

http://www.three.ie/terms/customer_notification.htm

Well that's a pile of balls! I go close to going over the 15gb every month never mind 10gb.:mad:

jd007

jd007 wrote: »

Well that's a pile of balls! I go close to going over the 15gb every month never mind 10gb.:mad:

aye - i might get away with it since im on NBS but im in the same boat for the mo -i use every mb of the 15gb as well - such a foolish move by three - it was the only advantage it had over the other networks

jd007

warlikedave wrote: »

aye - i might get away with it since im on NBS but im in the same boat for the mo -i use every mb of the 15gb as well - such a foolish move by three - it was the only advantage it had over the other networks

Definetly the only advantage. I was going to be buying their mifi aswell. Will have to have a rethink though. not impressed at all with this.

evolutionqy7

jd007 wrote: »

Well that's a pile of balls! I go close to going over the 15gb every month never mind 10gb.:mad:

had to pay 100 quid extra once cause i went over the limit :S that was a kick in d balls :S

culabula

warlikedave wrote: »

beware - 3 are dropping their traffic allowances so be aware of this if you are signing a new contract or upgrading or even if you are a prepay customer (NBS is exempt but am still awaiting verification on this)

http://www.three.ie/terms/customer_notification.htm

The idiots! How was anyone supposed to know? I have received no advice or warning only to find out here.

evolutionqy7

culabula wrote: »

The idiots! How was anyone supposed to know? I have received no advice or warning only to find out here.

see thats the problem! their info system runs through the modem as a dongle...they expect you to use it...takes you fuking 3 years to explain to them that your using the wifi not the dongle...and all the messages go onto the software on 3 connect :S but can they cut you down on to 10GB if 15 is on the contract?

culabula

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

see thats the problem! their info system runs through the modem as a dongle...they expect you to use it...takes you fuking 3 years to explain to them that your using the wifi not the dongle...and all the messages go onto the software on 3 connect :S but can they cut you down on to 10GB if 15 is on the contract?

Well, the messages remain on the SIM if you're using a Mac as there is no 3 software for the Mac. Unless you put the SIM into a handset, you're not going to be aware of of any messages from them.

As it is, I did check the messages just 48 hours ago and there was nothing pertinent to this.

(Incidentally Mac users CAN use the Netvigator Pocket wifi connection manager and check SMS that way, even over wi-fi -but, who knew?)

Yes, of course, they can make any adjustments they see fit (it's just a bit bizarre) but you are then entitled to leave out of contract. IMO, it would be better for me to leave and then sign up again as it's only 14,99€ instead of the 19,99€ that I'm currently paying.

evolutionqy7

culabula wrote: »

(Incidentally Mac users CAN use the Netvigator Pocket wifi connection manager and check SMS that way, even over wi-fi -but, who knew?)

dont you have to jail break your modem to use netvigator? i wanted to do that a few times but as i read over the internet its very easy to brick it that way so i steered away beside the speed issue which is rubbish the only that annoys me that you cant turn of the auto sleep function...i want the modem to be always on :S

culabula

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

dont you have to jail break your modem to use netvigator? i wanted to do that a few times but as i read over the internet its very easy to brick it that way so i steered away beside the speed issue which is rubbish the only that annoys me that you cant turn of the auto sleep function...i want the modem to be always on :S

Well you don't "jailbreak" it, you unlock it. I think the info that you can "brick" it is nonsense....you simply have to pay attention to what you're doing. I unlocked mine and updated the firmware twice without issue.

I'm not sure but I think the Netvigator programme for Mac worked with the MiFi/SMS before I did anything to the actual unit.

Right now, I see no point in staying with 3; in fact I would be better off leaving as per T&Cs and then possibly signing up again for a new contract @ 14,99€ per month (as a 3 mobile customer entitled to 25% discount) as opposed to the 19,99 that I am currently paying.

evolutionqy7

culabula wrote: »

Well you don't "jailbreak" it, you unlock it. I think the info that you can "brick" it is nonsense....you simply have to pay attention to what you're doing. I unlocked mine and updated the firmware twice without issue.

I'm not sure but I think the Netvigator programme for Mac worked with the MiFi/SMS before I did anything to the actual unit.

Right now, I see no point in staying with 3; in fact I would be better off leaving as per T&Cs and then possibly signing up again for a new contract @ 14,99€ per month (as a 3 mobile customer entitled to 25% discount) as opposed to the 19,99 that I am currently paying.

well i dont really see the point of staying with three at all...since i got it speeds have gone down very much...i mean with FULL COVERAGE i get 0.5 average speed...i rang them (waste my ****ing time talking about bull**** and doing the same setting set ups every time which dont change anything) and they said there might be a limitation of some sort in my house lol...how d **** would i have a limitation with full coverage?

I nominate three for worse customer care known to man

i might try to break the contract and try that wireless o2 wifi modem...there seems to be more positive feedbacks on quality and speed of o2 rather than 3

culabula

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

well i dont really see the point of staying with three at all...since i got it speeds have gone down very much...i mean with FULL COVERAGE i get 0.5 average speed...i rang them (waste my ****ing time talking about bull**** and doing the same setting set ups every time which dont change anything) and they said there might be a limitation of some sort in my house lol...how d **** would i have a limitation with full coverage?



i might try to break the contract and try that wireless o2 wifi modem...there seems to be more positive feedbacks on quality and speed of o2 rather than 3

I really have little to complain about 3: I used it the whole way down from Belfast to Dublin the other night with zero issues -and really, that is my usual experience. I choose 3 because of 3 like home, products like MiFi and because I often move between both jurisdictions.

But I hate discovering things like the recently-upped allowance to 15GB reverting to 10GB and also finding out that some people are now being charged just 15€ as opposed to my 20€.

If I leave, I get to keep the MiFi: in the north I can stick a giffgaff SIM in with True Unlimited Data for 10 quid a month and when in the republic, there are many ad-hoc solutions such as Vodafone Extras or 99c a day on the others. Alternatively, I may instantly sign for another year at a 25% discount.

evolutionqy7

you obviously haven't called their customer care yet

culabula

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

you obviously haven't called their customer care yet

I never have to these days, to be perfectly honest. I did during the "Great Outage" of about 3 years ago, when they allegedly "updated" the network and that was lots of fun.

Occasionally I have had to call 3UK re upgrades and the end of '3 Like Home' ending up in the same place, Mumbai, I suppose. They are the Ryanair of Mobile Comms.

But you know, I just tell them that they're talking though their turbans.

evolutionqy7

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

see thats the problem! their info system runs through the modem as a dongle...they expect you to use it...takes you fuking 3 years to explain to them that your using the wifi not the dongle...and all the messages go onto the software on 3 connect :S but can they cut you down on to 10GB if 15 is on the contract?

every ISP company reserves the right to alter the contract as long as the contract holders are informed - in this case via a well hidden website - shameful stuff plus it doesnt make for good marketing either so no wonder it is low key lol

culabula

warlikedave wrote: »

every ISP company reserves the right to alter the contract as long as the contract holders are informed - in this case via a well hidden website - shameful stuff plus it doesnt make for good marketing either so no wonder it is low key lol

Correct. As of tonight, they are still offering 15GB for 20€ on their main page -even though that is to change in under a month.

I tweeted the f*ck out of this earlier and a friend in Sligo seized on the opportunity to get out of her 3 contract.

When she phoned Mumbai they "knew nothing about it" and thanked her for bringing it to their attention!

What's peeving me is that there is still no alert by SMS to me personally regarding this -and I have been a customer since 2006.

culabula

culabula wrote: »

Correct. As of tonight, they are still offering 15GB for 20€ on their main page -even though that is to change in under a month.

I tweeted the f*ck out of this earlier and a friend in Sligo seized on the opportunity to get out of her 3 contract.

When she phoned Mumbai they "knew nothing about it" and thanked her for bringingit to their attention!

What's peeving me is that there is still no alert by SMS to me personally regarding this -and I have been a customer since 2006.

well its the best way - to make a big mess out of this for them - when other companies are looking to increase caps with the exception of eircom who are capping everything (failed company that is anyways)...let them know what you think - let rip into them :P see how far they are willing to go if the masses should create uproar over this.

evolutionqy7

warlikedave wrote: »

every ISP company reserves the right to alter the contract as long as the contract holders are informed - in this case via a well hidden website - shameful stuff plus it doesnt make for good marketing either so no wonder it is low key lol

well thats why their scumbags...they dont deserve to get my 2 cent for the quality of broadband and customer service they give!

culabula

evolutionqy7 wrote: »

well thats why their scumbags...they dont deserve to get my 2 cent for the quality of broadband and customer service they give!

I would say the web advice is a first step. Expect to get SMS and emails soon. That's what happened when 3UK withdrew '3 Like Home'.

watty

Check that your 3 MiFi isn't one of these?

http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/04/bell-novatel-mifi-2372-deemed-unsafe-for-human-use-recalled/

MiFi 2372