|
Many consumers will have heard of 3G via advertising for the phone company 3. However, few will know that it is a venture primarily aimed at businesses. In 2004, four mobile operators actually launched their own 3G data cards aimed at business people who spend much of their time travelling. Vodaphone, Orange, O2 and T-Mobile have launched their individual products to try and encourage people to actively work and perform administrative tasks whilst they are on the phone through their phones. In a world where very few of us actually have any time to spare, efficiency is king and the 3G data card simply panders to that specific need.
3G data cards are designed to give an individual high-speed data access at their fingertips anywhere in the world. The name for the 3G data card is actually dependent on the network that offers it. 'Mobile office' and 'communication centre' are just two of the phrases floated around - essentially though, all four cards are designed to do the same thing - establish a Wi-Fi network to support rapid data transfer for ease of use and mobile working solutions. There are certain elements of the data cards that make some better than others though, especially regarding installation and coverage, which I will focus on below.
O2
The O2 3G data card is the most recently available of the data cards, thus seemingly learning from the mistakes of its three competitors. Although there have been accusations of unreliable connectivity, the O2 data card has got generally good reviews. It is also the cheapest at £110.
It is fairly easy to install, although it does require rebooting twice because the software, which is available free online, also needs a patch to be downloaded separately for it to work. The only problem is that you actually need a separate handset for this, aside from the one you use for calling. The card works well enough, alerting you to connections available and defining whether they are Internet, GPRS or Wi-Fi. 3G coverage is good and isn't confined to cities either, although rural areas may experience problems. The software is also good, although one or two issues may be present just after installation.
Orange
This is the most expensive card at around £225 but the easiest to actually install, although it isn't compatible with Macs or any Windows operating system apart from 2000 and XP. Coverage also varies but is much better nearer cities than it is the further away from them you get.
You simply install the software, register the card and then plug it in. You will have Internet access in five minutes or so. However, from there it can be difficult to actually use the Orange 3G data card. You have to access a control panel, or dashboard, to monitor what you are doing as well as your usage. It allows customisation of the various functions but is not user-friendly or practical when it comes to switching between phone and data use. You have to actually disconnect before making a call and thus cannot receive calls whilst you are using the data application. This makes O2's idea of different phones seem sensible!
Vodafone
The Vodafone data card is £155 and installation is just as easy as the Orange one. Simply unpack, install and plug in! When used to connect to the Internet, coverage within a city and download speeds are more consistent than with the previously mentioned cards, maybe because it actually comes with an aerial to plug in if you are losing signal strength. It isn't a miracle cure, but it does work. However, the further away from London, Manchester or Birmingham you get, the more likely you are to find yourself on GPRS rather than 3G networks. Whereas Orange and O2 still work on 3G outside the cities, Vodafone doesn't.
T-Mobile
At around £199, this card is at the higher end of the price range. Installation can be problematic because most of the components and drivers have to be installed separately as the automatic installation on the CD tends to miss some areas out. If you do manage to install it, that does not necessarily mean that it will pick up existing Wi-Fi networks either, thus it is perhaps best to set up the network again once it has been installed.
Initial problems aside, the connectivity is generally good and one feature actually allows you to override the automatically selected connection if you so wish. It automatically connects to the best one present, thus making it extremely good in Wi-Fi hotspots. Unlike Orange and O2 though, it does allow you to switch easily between calling and data work on the same phone! This will represent a significant advantage to some people.
In conclusion, it is fair to say that all four 3G data cards can be problematic, but T-Mobile and O2 generally prove to be the best ones, despite awkward installation. Orange and Vodafone connectivity let them down because it is an ongoing problem, whereas initial gremlins can be resolved before you have to use the card.
Staff editor, Mobile Phones Section, February 2007 |
