GSM WORLD

28th Jan 2006

I live in Sidcup, SE London/ north Kent border and bought a 3G data
card for my laptop this afternoon. I have been testing it this
afternoon.

I have used the software before as up until now i have been using a
Voda GPRS card. I had to install the software again from my 3G pack,
for the new settings and profile to be applied. The install went on
without a problem and i was soon browsing the web.

However, i only receive 1 bar at best on the 3G service, and it often
swaps to GPRS, even when i havent moved from my desk. Also, this seems
to really screw up outlook when the card swaps from 3G to GPRS while
sending/receiving email. Had to restart outlook and the voda software
at one point.

I bought this as mainly i need to use it during lunch times at work
(running an online business out of office hours).. I have bought this
hoping that i should be able to receive a decent 3G service when i am
at work, but based on todays test i am not too hopeful.

Does the antenna vastly improve the performance ? Are they a must have ?

I use Vodas 3G card on the Birmingham to Manchester train quite often.
While the signal is no where near as good as on my N70, in my
experience it is about a bar better with the antenna than without.

Mind you, I got mine for free. Im not sure how much they are, so I
cant really speak for their value for money.

I have XP PS2 on my laptop and Ive not experienced the lockups that
you describe.

Jeremy.

Thanks for the quick response

The antenna that voda sell in their stores is only Ł20 so i might
invest. My laptop is fairly new with XP Pro SP2..

Outlook may be locking up as i use IMAP instead of POP3 email. I assume
when switching from 3G to GPRS the network assigns a new IP address?

I am also going to install Mobile Connect v6.1.. but i doubt it will
make any difference to the performance of the card.

v6.1 is a 60MB download available from:
http://www.business.vodafone.com/mobileofficeroot/enuk/p software tscs22.jsp

On 28 Jan 2006 12:24:27 -0800, Winshent
wrote:


They greatly improve signal.


It depends where you are. In good signal, they make little difference.
In bad signal, they arent enough. The useful range in between is what
matters, and that varies from place to place.

Given the vast cost of using 3G, Ł20 is nothing in comparison, so you
may as well try it.

--

Iain
the out-of-date hairydog guide to mobile phones
http://www.hairydog.co.uk/cell1.html
Browse now while stocks last!

hairydog@despammed.com wrote:

just done a speed test on my exec 3g, with one . on the strength bar, but
still 3g, i got 520kbps download on the speed test.....................

Gaz

Winshent wrote in message
news:1138482027.316704.240250@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
Thanks for the quick response

The antenna that voda sell in their stores is only Ł20 so i might
invest. My laptop is fairly new with XP Pro SP2..

Outlook may be locking up as i use IMAP instead of POP3 email. I assume
when switching from 3G to GPRS the network assigns a new IP address?

I am also going to install Mobile Connect v6.1.. but i doubt it will
make any difference to the performance of the card.

v6.1 is a 60MB download available from:
http://www.business.vodafone.com/mobileofficeroot/enuk/p software tscs22.jsp

You didt say which version of Mobile Connect you are using at present?
I have a card which was supplied with Version 3 and it locked up many times.
About 6 months ago I upgraded to version 5 and have had no lockups since.
Ive found the version 5 much better.
Ive now downloaded and installed version 6 and also updated the cards
firmware, only time will tell if it is better!!

I wish Vodafone would advise users of updates instead of us having to check
their site. Its a pity that the update option in Mobile Connect does not
show any updates, yet they are on the VodaFone site!!

I am using version 5. I have now upgraded to version 6. Outlook still
seems to hang during syncing. Think it because the card seems to be
constantly switching between 3g and gprs.. prob the best thing for me
to do is to force the card to only use gprs when there is little 3g
signal..

I am going to try the antenna, seems like could be a good investment.
If i still have issues then im going to cancel the contract within the
14 day period. Would be a shame, as i thought 3G has had enough time
now to have been properly rolled out.

On Sat, 28 Jan 2006, Winshent wrote:


I usually get another bar when I plug it in, or in some cases it makes
the difference between using GPRS and switching to 3G. Ive got the
velcro type stuff mounted on the top outside corner of the laptop, to
get it as high as possible.

--
Chris