OK - who had a go with the data card yesterday?

[Josette]

I was phoned yesterday morning by the very nice people in my local Orange shop and told that the cards were now in and I was invited for a demo :D

Incredibly organised demonstration (they've obviously had good training ;) ), although the speed was only about 128kbps - so not much faster than a 56k modem. However, I was impressed overall(except when the software kept crashing!) .

They also showed me a dummy Z1010.

Seems much better than the T-Mobile card I was demonstrated last week in the Oxford Street store. The staff didn't have a clue there!

[Confucious]

Interesting, the software kept crashing and downloads were slow, but you were impressed because the demonstration was well organised.

And you saw a dummy Z1010 :)

Did they give details of availability/services/pricing?

[Gunner]

Software crashing sounds rather worrying, especially as this was the launch, not a preview. Also it seems odd that you were also getting 128kbps when Orange are supposed to be offering full speed.

3G datacard details: http://www.orange.co.uk/business/corporate/3g/mobile_office_card.html

I take it there were no further details on the handset launch then? :P

[Josette]

The information I was getting was only information I'd already obtained publicly - although he did mention (twice) that coverage was now 68%.

I was very surprised about the slow speed as well - Orange is bragging about how much faster its card runs than T-Mobile's, but it seemed a similar speed to me. And this on launch date, when not many people were using Orange's 3G network so it should have been quick.

No details of handset launch - just mentioned it would be September. I'd love to find out if it was earlier ;)

I was a bit concerned about the crashing software too - also, to use the different services on the datacard, you had to log off the 3G network and on again (e.g. if you wanted to go from using the internet to accessing your corporate network, you had to log off and on again). Not terribly time consuming, but annoying none the less.

[serg]

Just measured the speed of my new Orange card a few times - it averages at around 110-150Kbps with a maximum reached at one point over 2 hour span of 205Kbps. Orange CS say that the speed will be at 100-128 for the next few months as they are still ironing out the glitches in the service.

[Gunner]

Then why launch claiming more? Grr.

I suppose speeds obtainable could vary in different areas. Perhaps it's only some individual bases that aren't operating at optimum speed.

So! You've got a card! How are you finding it? ie:
Transition from 3G -> GPRS -> 3G
Quality of 3G signal
Usability of 3G signal indoors/outdoors/moving
Performance/reliability of hardware/software

..and anything else you can share!

Cheers
Abs

[Confucious]

Also, can the orange SIM (or is it a USIM) be used in an unlocked "3" phone?

[serg]

To Abs:
I am based in London - today tried it in a number of places in Central and SW areas, seems stable. 3G is strong everywhere I tried, so haven't experienced 3g/gprs transition. Connection performed well during a client presentation this morning, although at speeds you would expect from a good ISDN, and not broadband :(

It seems to automatically drop the connection after about 1hr - not sure if this is to do with settings - will run this past CS.

To Confucius - I don't know, as I don't have a 3g handset

[Gunner]

Cheers serg :D

Do let us know if you find out more about the 1h disconnect.

[Confucious]

Thanks for th ereply serg. Pity you don't but keep us informed as to hooew you get on.

Good luck :)