Device For Payg Mobile Broadband

[chriswillsher]

I have recently purchased the £39 package for PAYG mobile broadband and have been pleasantly surprised at the usabilty of the GPRS service in remote parts of Scotland in my motorhome to be able to keep in touch with friends and family by email. I would like the Expresscard dongle as I have a suitable slot in my laptop but this seems to be only available with the business contract which is not much use to me as I am a pensioner. Can I buy the Expresscard Datacard and use it on the PAYG service either with my current SIM or a new one? I find the USB dongle a nuisance. I am happy to pay a sensible price for the Datacard and cannot understand why this option is not available. I research signal coverage of my route before setting out and manage to connect to the 3G service to update everything from time to time as we go through towns with a 3G service.

[Neil_Brown]

cannot understand why this option is not available

My gut feeling is that Express cards appeal to a far more limited market segment, and are likely to be less popular, and are probably a bit more expensive to produce.

In terms of would it work, then, if the card were unlocked, then, it should work.

[snafu]

There's a Vody one and a router on Ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=170332268949


You could install it in your motorhome on the inverter and have mobile wireless b/b everywhere you go.


I always thought the Expresscard was a better piece of kit, but USB is now, er, usbiquitous.

[Retired-MatC]

Hey chrisjohn,

Welcome along to the forum

I'm glad to hear that you've been happy with the performance of our USB dongle, although I must say that you're far more organised than me by planning out your data schedule beforehand based on signal in the areas you're travelling through - I'm lucky if I remember to pack my underwear!

As for your query, there isn't a PAYG Express card available as things stand, although I wouldn't rule out such a thing being available in the future - I'll certainly pass your feedback on to say that you would like to see one in any case.

The PAYG offering is intended for use only with the USB dongle supplied, so although the service will most likely work in an express card once you've put your SIM in, I can't make any guarantees that everything will run smoothly - so I'd advise caution before spending any money.

Let me know if you've got any further queries and don't forget to check out our Mobile Broadband help centre if you get the chance - it's packed full of useful information regarding our service and some of the frequently asked questions we get about it

All the best,

MatC
eForum Team

[chriswillsher]

Hey chrisjohn,

The PAYG offering is intended for use only with the USB dongle supplied, so although the service will most likely work in an express card once you've put your SIM in, I can't make any guarantees that everything will run smoothly - so I'd advise caution before spending any money.

MatC
eForum Team

Thanks to all for the helpful replies to date.

I would love to hear if anyone has tried the PAYG SIM from a USB modem in an Expresscard and what the results have been. I have been looking on eBay and note that there are a variety of "unlocked" Expresscards offered - the Novatel Merlin XU870 looks to be the same as the one supplied by Vodafone UK and indeed is shown on the Vodafone Global site. I have also seen an Option GE0301.

Can anyone offer me any guidance as to what I should be looking for in terms of an Expresscard to try to use with my PAYG SIM?

Should it be Vodafone locked to use with my Vodafone PAYG SIM or will any "unlocked" card work? I am prepared to spend a reasonable amount to try the concept out but not silly money.

[Retired-Claire_]

Hi chrisjohn

I honestly couldnt comment on an unlocked modem and its suitability, but certainly the modems locked to Vodafone should be fine.

If you are looking to purchase a Vodafone modem, then why not buy one with a sim as a package and then for your own peace of mind it will ensure that it will work?

Have a look to see what we offer in our Online Shop for Mobile Broadband?

Claire

eforum Team

[chriswillsher]

Hi chrisjohn

I honestly couldnt comment on an unlocked modem and its suitability, but certainly the modems locked to Vodafone should be fine.

If you are looking to purchase a Vodafone modem, then why not buy one with a sim as a package and then for your own peace of mind it will ensure that it will work?

Have a look to see what we offer in our Online Shop for Mobile Broadband?

Claire

eforum Team

Hello Claire, thanks for your reply. I stated in my original post, I have a Vodafone USB modem bought as part of the PAYG package and just want to be able to use an Expresscard modem instead of the USB.

Unfortunately, Vodafone currently only offers the Expresscard with a business contract which is not much use for a pensioner wanting occasional use!

I have now purchased a Vodafone branded (and presumably locked) second hand, out of contract Expresscard modem on eBay and I shall put the SIM from my USB modem into it and hope that it works.