Data speeds on Web'n'Walk Pro

[musical]

I have a Nokia N70 to which I connect my laptop via bluetooth. I am on Web'n'Walk Pro Bundle.

I live in Norwich currently (NR2 3RG) - don't seem to have local 3G coverage (I knew this so I don't mind). What speed should I expect to connect at via GPRS?

When I move to Cambridge (which appears to have virtually complete 3G coverage) later this month, what speed should I expect (my home postcode will be CB2 1NE)?

I also have a friend who is already in Cambridge on Web'n'Walk Pro, but his phone is not 3G, it is a Vario (GPRS and EDGE). What speed should he connect at? He got 211K on the Shuttle and Text Test at www.toast.net. Interestingly, even though my phone does not show 3G, I get between 800 and 950K on the same test - four times the speed.

In essence, my questions are:

1. In a non-3G area, with a 3G phone, what is the maximum data speed?
2. In a 3G area, with a 3G phone, what is the maximum data speed (I think 384Kbps, though higher with a hsdpa phone like Vario II)?
3. In a non-3G area, with an EDGE phone, what is the maximum data speed?
4. In a 3G area, with an EDGE phone, what is the maximum data speed?

Thanks in advance

[DaveC]

Is this any use regarding 2.5g -
http://www.mobile-phones-uk.org.uk/gprs.htm
As far as I know Edge is not yet in use outside of London, so having an Edge phone will make no difference in speed for the vast majority of people

You are right in assuming 3G max is 348Kbs - I seem to get around 240 - 280 in practice

[marcol]

Hi musical, I'm afraid I can't really help with question, this might might be of some use though:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gprs

I would have thought that if the test shows 'between '800 and 950K' either you're on 3G (HSDPA) or the test isn't accurate.

I'm in NR2 as well. I wonder if you could comment on T-Mobile 3G coverage elsewhere in the city? Greatly appreciated if you could. My contract with Vodafone is up and W'n'W looks pretty enticing.

PS Was the 800-950 K in NR2?

[musical]

Marcol,

I ran the test from my house on the Earlham Road. My phone doesn't show 3G, and the coverage maps on t-mobile show that the area around the Dereham Road does have video calling, but not the Earlham Road. Have a look here for coverage: http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/Dispatcher?menuid=ctl_change_state&name=searchResults&value=off&nextpageid=phones_cua_uc_gis

I am on Flext 35, which I got for 25% off in the introductory period. You can get any Flext tariff for £5 per month off at the moment. I then added the Web'n'Walk Pro Bundle for £10 per month, which gives 2gig per month, with laptop use okay. The muppets in customer services do not understand the web'n'walk pro bundle and will tell you it can't be added (you might be okay in the t-mobile shop in norwich, though when I have been in there they have not overly impressed me), so just ask to speak to the connectivity team, who will add the bundle with no problems. One nice thing about adding web'n'walk pro like this is that it is only a one month contract, so if it does not suit you, you can simply cancel with 30 days notice.

If you want to see what speed you get, go here http://performance.toast.net/ and try the 'shuttle and text' from the UK server.

Hope this helps.

[musical]

Dave,

I am still mystified as to why I am getting, not connected via 3G, four times the performance of my friend in Cambridge,a 3G area. I assumed that EDGE would be added at the same time as, or before, 3G, but that is probably an assumption too far. Still don't understand the difference though - perhaps there is EDGE here in 2G-Norwich but not in 3G-Cambridge? Either that or the Nokia N70 gives better performance than the Vario?

Terry

[3G-Londoner]

i'm really not sure why the test is showing that high a connection speed. Perhaps the file is cached on your computer? have you tried another speed test like the one on www.adslguide.org.uk?

In answer to your Questions:

1. In a non-3G area, with a 3G phone, what is the maximum data speed?
up to about 40kbps

2. In a 3G area, with a 3G phone, what is the maximum data speed (I think 384Kbps, though higher with a hsdpa phone like Vario II)?
up to 384kbps or for HSDPA up to 1.2MBps (as I get on my Web n Walk card - nice!)

3. In a non-3G area, with an EDGE phone, what is the maximum data speed? up to 130 kbps (although i'm not sure as to TMO's rollout status of EDGE)

4. In a 3G area, with an EDGE phone, what is the maximum data speed?
If you only have an EDGE phone (2G) you are only picking up from the 2G basestation so the same as 3 above!

[marcol]

musical,

Thanks for your reply and the info. I'm over towards Unthank Rd so if the coverage map is correct then no luck for me at home. I've seen a few posts here from people saying the T-Mob coverage map is out of date though, which is really why I asked the question. Is it really true that there's no 3G in the whole of Norwich city centre?

marcol

[musical]

No, that is wrong. There is patchy coverage throughout the city centre. I don't know which end of Unthank you are, but the signal is very impressive near the cathedral. If you let me know a landmark near you, if I'm nearby I'll have a look and tell you. It is a very small world.

[marcol]

Small world indeed! I'm a stone's throw from all shops that include the Rose Valley pub. Don't put yourself out, but if you are in the area and could check out the 3G that would be great! Thanks!

[buckie]

Hi Musical, ensure cs have provisioned you for video calling on your tmob account, that feature allows you to log onto 3g also ensure your handset is set correcttly go to menu>tools>settings>network>network mode and ensure its set to dual mode and not GSM

[musical]

Thanks for the advice. I get the 3G symbol on the N70 when I am in a 3G area, so that is okay. On the video stuff, yes, I can see that it has been enabled in my T-mobile. The guy I spoke to in the connectivity team was really clued up - certainly not a muppet.

[b10cey]

Just to let you know my data cards up for bids, http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=018&item=280027444224&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

Cheers

Boycey

[boyced]

what number do you use to set up your connection on your laptop?

[musical]

I have now moved to Cambridge, and the adslguide speed tests are giving me a throughput in excess of 300Kbps, both in college and in my department, so I am very pleased. The lesson is that if you want to make the most of the Web'n'Walk tariff you need 3G coverage and a 3G phone.