What's best, T-Mobile Web 'N' Walk or Vodafone?

[GAZ2785]

I'm thinking of getting T-Mobile Web 'n' Walk so that I can access the Internet on my laptop wherever I go using the supplied USB modem. I'm thinking of going for the £29 a month package. I'll need to use email, web sites, ftp, ssh and instant messaging.

I'm also looking at Vodafone which is a similar price. From looking at the online coverage checks, it would appear that Vodafone coverage is far superior to T-Mobile. Is this the case?

On the otherhand T-Mobile advertises their speed at 1.8mbps whereas Vodafone is 1.4mbps. Does the difference really matter?

For some reason I feel Vodafone is the safer bet, however you have to buy the modem seperately (it's free with T-mobile) and the speed is slower so I'm not sure.

Any advice you can offer is appreciated!

Thanks,

[DaveC]

I've used T-Mobile for just over six months, but as with all networks it depends on the local circumstances. Coverage maps seem only to give a rough guide. At the weekend I was away where there should be no 3G coverage and yet it worked fine.

Speed depends on a number of different factors, remember the figures quoted are the max. I usually get around 1.2 mbps which is ample for things like email, instant messaging and general web browsing. As far as ftp is concenrned remember the upload speed is a lot slower than download

[GAZ2785]

Thanks for your reply. The T-mobile map shows limited coverage of 3G in certain areas, but it does have 2G instead.

The Vodafone map shows limited coverage of "3G broadband" and has "3G services" instead. What's the difference between "3G broadband" and "3G services"? I also assume that what Vodafone call "Standard Services" is perhaps 2G??

Unfortunately I find this pretty confusing, and from past purchases I often end up making the wrong decision.

[DaveC]

I am not sure but I suspect that 3G broadband represents their HSDPA (High speed data areas) where 3G is the standard 3G (expect data speeds of around 340 mbps) I do know that not all of Vodafone 3G is HSPDA where all of T-Mobile 3G areas are.

T-Mobile do say that they are increasing data speeds to around 3.6mbps in the near future.

[GAZ2785]

The T-Mobile USB modem is advertised as 1.8Mbps and Vodafone's is 1.4Mbps. Therefore would this support 3.6Mbps in the future or would you need new hardware?

The 340mbps you mentioned, did you mean 340kbps ?

[DaveC]

Sorry meant 340kbps.

I'm not sure how fast these modems can go. Officially, HSDPA is going to go up to 7.2mbps some time in the future.

Some seem to be 1.8 others go up to the 3.6 only a few seem to do 7.2

http://www.smartdevicesdirect.com/teltonika-modemusbh18-hsdpa-modem-teltonika-p-1398.html

http://www.huawei.com/mobileweb/en/products/view.do?id=282
http://www.xomobo.com/zadacom-hsdpa-umts-edge-36mbps-72mbps-ready-modem-powered-only-zadacom-p-1558.html

[Andyroo]

I've used T-Mobile for just over six months, but as with all networks it depends on the local circumstances. Coverage maps seem only to give a rough guide.


Coverage maps are as you rightly said a rough guide. Its only a computer prediction !

[GAZ2785]

Well I'm going to make a decision today and still cannot make my mind up. I still think T-mobile might be faster but Vodafone have better coverage, but I don't know for sure.

Can anyone help advance my decision?

[DaveC]

Tough call as it depends where in the main you are going to be using it and what sort of work you want to do in those locations. There are so many variables I for one would not be able to advise you. What works for me many not work for you and vice versa. My experience of T-Mobile has been good, but most of my work is in large urban areas of the North West. The occasions I have been out of 3G signal when I have wanted to work have mostly been in the backwoods where none of the networks (even 3) do not have 3G coverage. However, I have still been able to do email and even moderate this board from those locations.

[GAZ2785]

Thanks again Dave. Vodafone have offered to give me the USB modem free (same as T-mobile). Vodafone also claimed they are as fast as T-mobile (1.8mbps) and have better coverage, so I'm leaning towards Vodafone.

I also know a couple of people who have used Vodafone 3G and been pleased with it, although I appreciate your positive comments about T-mobile.

Last time I was down south I was relying on T-mobile wifi hotspots. There were around half a dozen in the area but not a single one worked (in fact some of them had been removed and T-mobile had not updated their map and didn't even know they had been removed). I know this has nothing to do with 3G, but since I'm visiting the same area next week it brings back nasty memories of T-mobile!

I think both have a 14-day money back guarantee so I think I'm going to go with Vodafone and see how it goes. There's always time for me to change my mind though :squareeye

[snowwolf]

I have had Voda before and also have T-Mo they both have good coverage in my area of Kent, but found T-Mo to work the best and had faster net speeds to Voda.

Also the customer service of T-Mo is far superior and more helpfull than Voda and T-Mo C/S is still in the UK! which is a big plus!!! and ask to be put through to the techical data service team, and they are very helpfull indeed, I can't fault them.

I have used most of the pcmcia data cards including the usb devices, I found the usb devices a bit cumbersom, as they tend to always be in the way, getting hooked up on the edge of the desk or whatever is about, or dangling around on or over, good idea but really not a practical one if used on a laptop, the best one by far is the "OPTION GT MAX 7.2" it is 3.6 and 7.2 ready so when these speeds are up and running, the card will work at them speeds, it has it's software already in the device and when installed, the software is only a very small conection box that appears on the screen, which dissapears when its conected.

Also the GT MAX 7.2 is flush fitting in the laptop, which is a BIG plus point, so there is no need to keep removing it from the pc when not in use and the pc can still go in it's carry case when transporting.

Most places charge £200 for any of these devices, but I got mine from a big company called "Insight" I got my Option GT MAX 7.2 from them on a next day delivery for £135.00 + Vat and included the shipping!

Phone Darren direct at Insight on 08707 067 412
Mention my name "Michael Stevens" and you will get the same deal or even better! than what I paid.

Regards Mick.

[GAZ2785]

Thanks for your advice - unfortunately I have already been out and got the Vodafone one.

I know a card would be more compact than the USB device, but if all works out I may use the device on other computers.

So far the speed seems very reasonable, but time will tell as I use it in other places.

Thanks,

GAZ2785

[snowwolf]

What speeds you getting Gaz?

Here in kent I normally get about 1mb on a speed test using www.speakeasy.com

[snowwolf]

whoops sorry for the speak easy link, its

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

[GAZ2785]

Hi mate

Approximately 1300kbps download (which I'm guessing is just over 1mb)?

And around 220kbps upload.

Does this seem about right? What is the maximum you can currently get (in theory)?

Also one other worry, according to the maps 3G Broadband (or 3G+) is available in another location I am going next week, whereas the map in-store said it was only bog standard 3G available in that area and not 3G+. Anyway, I'll find out next week :)

[DaveC]

Download is about the sort of speed you get in practice.
Upload seems slow to me. I'm getting around 340kbps

Theoretical max is 1.8mbps down 384kbs up

[JonStatt]

When comparing T-mobile and Vodafone, aren't there massive differences in the fair usage policy guidelines? For example WnW plus has a 3GB monthly usage guideline.

[GAZ2785]

When comparing T-mobile and Vodafone, aren't there massive differences in the fair usage policy guidelines? For example WnW plus has a 3GB monthly usage guideline.

So does vodafone!

[jamojdm]

How does the fair usage work on Voda?

I'm thinking of sending my tmobile card back as I cant get 3G where I need to use it! But I do like what I have heard on how lapse tmobile are with the fair usage.

[Andyroo]

I wouldnt say they were lapse, you still have the potential to be disconnected from the network if you abuse it

[GAZ2785]

How does the fair usage work on Voda?

I'm thinking of sending my tmobile card back as I cant get 3G where I need to use it! But I do like what I have heard on how lapse tmobile are with the fair usage.

I heard both Vodafone and T-mobile are lapse. I also heard they can reduce your speed, as opposed to disconnect you altogether.

I think the fair usage thing is there to protect them, and it's probably only an issue if lots of people abuse it at once. In other words, if you use 4GB instead of 3GB and all their other customers are within their limit, they're not going to worry.

Likewise if every single customer used 3GB in the space of a month Vodafone/T-mobile would probably be in trouble!

[dragon2611]

There Were a couple of things that made me choose t-mobile.

1) vodafone shop wern't willing to do the modem on a 12month contract would have had to order online.

2) reading their FUP although both say 3gb vodafone's says we reserve the right to charge you for extra usage OR reduce your speed. I asked about the FUP in the vofafone shop and they told me they can (that's not to say that they will just that they have a clause in there that allows them do do so if they so wish) charge at the standard data rate after 3gb (its £2 per mb)

T-mobiles FUP simply says we will warn you, then cap you for 14 days then if you continue to abuse the service we will suggest you upgrade and cap you untill you do (so from that i take it as although you'd end up with poo speeds at least your not needing to worry about your bill going though the roof)