Trying to decide on data tariff - any problems with Three?

[alanjrobertson]

Hi

My current O2 contract is coming to an end and I'm going to be moving to a K850i - I've got a K800i just now and I like SE, but even better the K850i has HSDPA support :)

I'm therefore looking for a reasonable data plan (something that couldn't be said for O2 in the past year). I've looked at the current deals on offer (see below) and it looks like it's down to T-Mobile and Three (for my usage pattern at least - I want both mobile and mobile-as-modem use (including ability to use Slingbox) and my voice/text needs are around the 300/50 level per month).

The main thing I was wondering was - does anyone have any first hand experience of 3 vs. T-Mobile's data services? For the past couple of months I'd been assuming I'd be going with WnW Plus but the new 3 plans look fairly good - slightly more expensive (£2.50/mo) than T-Mobile's, but less restrictive usage (I think!) with possibly better HSDPA coverage and slightly faster access speeds (3.6Mbps vs. 1.8Mbps). Any problems with blocked ports on either service?

Would be very interested to hear people's views.

Cheers

Alan

O2
Costs
- £7.50/mo for 200MB O2 Web Bolt On - modem access NOT permitted
- £30/mo for 3GB O2 Web Max Bolt On - modem access permitted
Restrictions
- O2 Web Bolt On - Instant Messaging, IP Telephony, Point 2 Point file sharing and file transfer, VoIP (e.g. Skype™), Video and TV streaming, Slingboxes; and Use in conjunction with routers not allowed
- O2 Web Max Bolt On - Instant Messaging, IP Telephony, VoIP (e.g. Skype™), Video and TV streaming; and Slingboxes not allowed

Vodafone
Costs
- £7.50/mo for 120MB - modem access permitted
Restrictions
- No obvious restrictions but £2/MB over monthly limit.

Orange
(very difficult to find information - eventually found at http://www1.orange.co.uk/entertainment/OrangeWorld/terms.php)
Costs
- £8/mo for Orange World Monthly Access - 30MB of anytime access - no mention re. data modem access in T&Cs (cf. off-peak access) so appears to be permitted.
- £5/mo for Orange World Off-Peak Access - 1GB of evening/weekend browsing - modem access NOT permitted
Restrictions
- common to both plans: not to be used for other activities such, non-Orange internet based streaming services, voice or video over the internet, instant messaging, peer to peer file sharing, non-Orange internet based video

T-Mobile
Costs
- Web'n'Walk - £7.50/mo for 1GB - modem access NOT permitted
- Web'n'Walk Plus - £12.50/mo for 3GB - modem access permitted
- Web'n'Walk Max - £22.50/mo for 10GB - modem access permitted
Restrictions
- WnW - peer to peer file sharing, internet phone calls or instant messaging not allowed
- WnW Plus - internet phone calls not allowed
- WnW Max - no restrictions

Three
Costs
- Internet 10 - £2.50/mo for 10MB data - modem access NOT permitted
- Internet Max Add-On - £5/mo for 1GB data - modem access NOT permitted
- Broadband Lite Add-On - £10/mo for 1GB data - modem access permitted
- Broadband Plus Add-On - £15/mo for 3GB data - modem access permitted
Restrictions
- I've searched over the site and even the T&Cs at http://www.three.co.uk/personal/help_support_/terms_conditions.omp?cid=1187800248881 don't seem to mention any services that are blocked - would be very interested to hear people's views.

(also posted on uk.telecom.mobile but looked like there were a good number of 3 users here so posted here too :))

[munkimatt]

I use 3s Internet Max Add-on. Can't find any fault with it at all. I have used it as a modem and it doesn't seem to have flagged up on my bill at all. I've not found anything blocked while using the phone, however when I'm using it as a modem I cannot access certain secure sites.

[alanjrobertson]

Cool, thanks - interesting that some sites don't seem to work when using as modem. Had a reply from 3 CS who also confirmed they weren't aware of any blocks on the service. Unfortunately they're also estimating November before the K850i is with them :(

[munkimatt]

Yeah, I was talking a a guy in the 3 shop about the K850. It keeps getting put back, not a good sign. The N95 8gb is soon to lauch on 3, that'd be a much better option for a phone. HSDPA is veeeerrrry nice!

[munkimatt]

Oh, you'll only get up to 2.8mbps as well.

[gadgetnutter]

Anyone know off the top of their head, what other phones are HSDPA compatible..and how to find out if it has been deployed in my area?

[quincy]

e65 isn't (cos i have one!)

and it's on the 3 site where they're adding it first
http://www.three.co.uk/personal/products_services_/mobile_broadband_/rollout_map.omp

[alanjrobertson]

On the positive side it seems that 3Sweden have launched the K850i so hopefully that bodes well for it playing nicely with 3's network!

Cheers

Alan

[turkeytaken]

The Nokia 6120 Classic (£15 per month) has HSDPA, and is a good phone too!

[gonzokev]

I can't comment on T-Mobile, other than to say I've heard their coverage can be quite patchy outside of main towns and cities.

I'm on 3, and have no issues with coverage. The data is good as well, with £5 per month for 1GB fair use. I haven't got an HSDPA phone, but speeds are more than acceptable on the standard 3g network, especially when using Opera Mini.

Although you've mentioned that you want phone-as-modem use. 3 don't allow this in their terms & conditions, although I have seen people do it. I'd say it's one of those 'use at your own risk' kind of situations.

[StuBFrost]

I am currently on T-Mobile and about to leave. The data is well priced but now oversubscribed and I have problems with speed and stability.

[wizza]

You have to be carfull of 3 as they block sites or ports arnt open had no probs on t-mobile but cant access bluesq.com and cant connect on fulltilt both poker sites allthough can access others so cant be down to gambling sites?
So try all the sites u may use in the first 3 days as i found this problem after now im stuffed for 12 months i think

[jonrisbyE65]

how can a provider tell if your using it as a modem or just using the handset for web browsing... the phone still issues the ip address and deals with the username and password.

No different IMHO

[wizza]

how can a provider tell if your using it as a modem or just using the handset for web browsing... the phone still issues the ip address and deals with the username and password.

No different IMHO

When u buy a usb modem they issue u with a telephone number so they no its a usb modem and not just a phone. Maybe thats how they no.

[quincy]

Your browser will identify itself - that's one way perhaps

[StuFuzz]

If people want to be safe for using their phone as a modem under the Internet Max rather than the Mobile Broadband its better to get a PAYG sim and use that in your phone when you need to. Otherwise cough up the extra fiver. Three are leading the way IMHO they have always been the ground breaker when it comes to uptake on new tech. Okay the might hit certain bugs but without 3 UK we wouldnt have been talking 3g until recently and even then would have had to go through 3's teething problems with another operator.

[Happy-Shrimper]

Original dilema to OP. At the end of TM Flext & WNW tariff with the ability to sign up for a new 18mth contract for £15 pm. Trying out a 3 PAYG with £5 internet addon and impressed so far.
Can still stream audio and connect to my ISPs IMAP and SMTP servers (which I didn't think I would be able to due as suspected port blocking etc)
My call volumes are quite low but data quite high.
I would be nice not to be tied in, but both work out about the same although I would have more voice minutes/txts on TM but I doubt I would use more than I get with 3 on Flat 12 for £10 pm.
So its more minutes & texts + 3g data at my regular locations and superb UK based help desks but 18 month contract Vs less voice & txts, but no contract and HSPDA at regular locations and less than impressive indian base CS.
Oh what to do!

Edit: 1 bad point is no internet if drops to 2G ;-(

[pressureuk]

I've found with 3 you can't access port 6667 so no mobile IRC. o2 don't block this port so it's a little frustrating.

[dragon2611]

I've found with 3 you can't access port 6667 so no mobile IRC. o2 don't block this port so it's a little frustrating.

use a BNC or ssh tunnel