Dongle Dilema

pappajohn · 15-05-2008, 09:22 PM

I enquired about a broadband dongle at the local T-mobile shop and was told there is no 3G coverage for my postcode

BUT it was expected by the end of the year.
does anyone know how fast the coverage is expanding ? or was the sales person just trying to make a sale.

i want to go with T-mobile for the 3gig fair use policy. if you repeatedly go over then they either slow your connection or advise a higher plan. fair enough.but to go over occasionaly aint a problem.

the reason i say our postcode is we regularly lose our connection and if shirls ordering for the shop it can be a real bummer if the connection drops half way through an order.

GJH · 15-05-2008, 09:52 PM

Hello John,

I went for the T-Mobile dongle in March having compared it to the offerings from 3 and Vodafone but despite not being particularly impressed by the coverage software available to the shop staff, which seemed inferior to the on-line checking software.

You can check T-Mobile coverage Here. Shows pretty good for most of Scarborough but it would worth checking your actual postcode.

Much of the T-Mobile expansion in the next year is to come about as a result of the shared network usage with 3. There is a similar coverage checker for 3 Here.

Graham

pappajohn · 15-05-2008, 10:40 PM

cheers Graham,

it would appear from T-mobile's map there is 3G cover in the middle of Southcliff golf course (non residential), all of Olivers mount(non residential) and 100 mtrs south of our house(next door neighbours house)

3 show cover all over scarborough so the sooner 'T' join shared network the better.

might be worth asking when its happening at the local T shop.

john

GJH · 16-05-2008, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappajohn

cheers Graham,

it would appear from T-mobile's map there is 3G cover in the middle of Southcliff golf course (non residential), all of Olivers mount(non residential) and 100 mtrs south of our house(next door neighbours house)

I suppose it all depends where they have transmitters/aerials. I imagine places like golf clubs and visitor attractions would get them because of voice traffic even though not residential.

We got back last week from a 2 week trip where we got good coverage from T-Mobile in Stratford (rally field attached to commercial camp site), Bristol (CC site), Lulworth Castle (temp camp site in a field) and Tewkesbury (CC site).

I was especially surprised at Lulworth Castle (East Lulworth village) because the map (just checked it again) shows little or no coverage but I got a good HSDPA signal. I wonder how often they update the maps?

Might be worth ringing the T-Mobile customer services and asking to be put through to somebody on the technical side who might have more information than sales staff and call centre staff who are only given scripts to work from.

Graham

pappajohn · 16-05-2008, 06:29 PM

got me dongle today, using it now but as we have no 3G coverage its a little s l o o o w on 2G.
it will be fine when we are out and about.

john.

GJH · 16-05-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappajohn

got me dongle today, using it now but as we have no 3G coverage its a little s l o o o w on 2G.

Just remembered another little tip John.

Have you tried using the longer lead with two USB plugs rather than the short one with a single plug? Someone told me the extra power the dongle receives enables it to pick up weaker signals.

I kept meaning to try both when we were away recently to see if it made any difference but never got round to it, just used the 2 plug lead.

Graham

pappajohn · 16-05-2008, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GJH

Just remembered another little tip John.

Have you tried using the longer lead with two USB plugs rather than the short one with a single plug? Someone told me the extra power the dongle receives enables it to pick up weaker signals.

I kept meaning to try both when we were away recently to see if it made any difference but never got round to it, just used the 2 plug lead.

Graham

sorry graham, you lost me somewhere. dont understand what you mean by two plugs on one long lead.

john.

ksebruce · 17-05-2008, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappajohn

sorry graham, you lost me somewhere. dont understand what you mean by two plugs on one long lead.

john.

Me neither only got one short lead with ours. Must admit a longer lead would enable the dongle to be better placed sometimes to pick up he signal

playbyte · 17-05-2008, 06:03 AM

I would guess that John is referring to a USB extension lead which come in a variety of lengths if you shop around.
I have often joined several USB extension leads together so that i can put a piece of equipment in a more favourable place because it is impracticale to put the PC/Laptop in that position.
I put the webcam outside the van for example on lots of extensions so that it can be used as a kind of security cam.
Roger

GJH · 17-05-2008, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pappajohn

sorry graham, you lost me somewhere. dont understand what you mean by two plugs on one long lead.

john.

My dongle came with two leads inthe box - see photo.

The short one has the mini-USB plug (for insertion into the dongle) at one end and a single standard USB plug at the other. The longer one has the mini USB plug at one end and two standard USB plugs at the other - which enables the dongle to obtain extra power from the laptop.

Graham