Dongle download limits

[mb325]

Looking to get a USB broadband dongle to use on my laptop, anyone have any idea how many gb my monthly download size would be for say 10-15 days a week having IG advanced charts (puredeal etc.) up for 8+ hours a day?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Masquerade]

I've thought about this before as I was in the market. There's nothing conclusive but 1gb should get you about 20hrs surfing time. Not accounting for streaming such as youtube etc. To get a better idea try http://www.hootech.com/NetMeter/ the free version should do the job, you can set it up so you can see how much you upload/download over a certain time then you can figure it out from there.

 

[mb325]

I'll give it a go and report back, cheers!

 

[oiltanker]

from working with a friends laptop the dongle experience often reminds me of the old dial up. open a page then go make a cup of tea while it downloads.

 

[Masquerade]

Do you know if there was good reception, who the provider was and what the quoted speed was up to?

Reception in the area is a huge factor on the speed and it's important you check that you have good coverage in the places you intend to use it. I think I might be getting a PAYG one just as a backup, i'm not going to need it enough to justify a contract.

 

[GammaJammer]

I have one at home and it's really terrible. Wouldn't go with that solution again. I think I have poor reception where I am and it makes a massive difference. Plus all the providers are lying b@stards when they quote line speeds. Think of that 3.6 mbps number as a maximum. Then manage your expectations down, as one poster already said, to old dialup modem type speeds and you'll be in the ballpark.

I certainly wouldn't get myself in a position where my trading depended on it. Maybe your experience will be better but I think mine is by no means atypical.

GJ

 

[Masquerade]

Who is your provider and have you checked your area coverage with them? I've heard the speeds are "up to" and you'll never get near it. But I was told if I get 3.6mbps i'd be getting close to about 2mbps which is fine for me.

I would certainly use it as a backup if my connection went. It has to be better than nothing and I don't really fancy using phones.

 

[GammaJammer]

It's T-Mobile. And they wouldn't give a sh*t.

 

[Masquerade]

Try this:

Check Mobile Broadband Coverage - Mobile Broadband from T-Mobile

 

[GammaJammer]

They describe my coverage as 'Good' (3 bars outta 5)

There was no option for Sh*t.

 

[Masquerade]

What can you do? It says my area is 4 bars. If you need mobile broadband maybe check out some other providers and see what their coverage is like? You may just be in an area where T-mobile coverage isn't that great.

 

[GammaJammer]

Oh I'm sure that could be part of it. But I've also read enough online to suggest that that's by no means the whole story. Bottom line is I won't be using T-Mobile for any services ever again. I have Vodafone for my mobile and it's fine. Download is quicker than the dongle. So the house reception can't be all that bad. But I can't have my phone being my backup option when I'm not at my desk. Can't figure out how to use it as a modem for a start, and even if I did, While it's fine and very quick for doing stuff that's optimised for mobile (even mobile TV etc), I think trying to use it as a modem to connect up my PC and log into Bloomberg Anywhere might be pushing my luck a bit.

GJ

 

[Masquerade]

Here's some information about using mobile phones as modems. I'm sure you could probably get more in-depth information how to do it, but without knowing which phone you have it's harder to comment.

It's very plausible Vodafone mobile broadband will be of different quality to the T-mobile so it may be worth a try.

 

[GammaJammer]

I reckon I need a youtube to get me through it. I've read a few things like this before. All looks so simple, then I get home and try it and I end up swearing and cursing.

I'm reasonably tech-savvy but this sort of thing always seems to defeat me.

Thanks for the link though Masq - will try again.

GJ

 

[Masquerade]

Ok, NP.

It's pretty easy to find some youtube stuff - don't know how easy it will be to follow. Do you have bluetooth on your computer & phone or will you be trying it via cable?

I found this & this which may be of some help. Ignore the music in the first link. Good luck with it, should be a right headache knowing technology

 

[GammaJammer]

I have bluetooth, wifi and a USB cable. Had kinda assumed the cable would be the best AND simplest option but I couldn't get it to work.

 

[0007]

I've got a Vodafone dongle as backup for home and for when away.

Works fine - Voda seems to have best coverage and a better press in user reports. My reception is 2 bars (indoors at home) and speed steady at 500kbps - not lightning but much better than dialup and perfectly useable. Have got much higher speeds on other places.

Doesn't work very well if moving eg in a train and positively dangerous if you're trying to drive on the M1 and use it at the same time!

I'm just coming to the end of a 1 year £15/month contract but will be going to the "buy a dongle" and just top up with 1GB download as required since that is all you need for emergency use.

The £15 / month contract allows 3GB download per month and is probably not quite adequate if you have real-time charts on the go all day and do some surfing.

Within its limitations it's a good piece of kit but very dependent on received signal quality. The only way is to try it - I think they still do it on "return if not satisfied basis".

 

[Masquerade]

I have bluetooth, wifi and a USB cable. Had kinda assumed the cable would be the best AND simplest option but I couldn't get it to work.

Try the bluetooth seeing as those videos refer to bluetooth..

As an aside, vodafone do a PAYG deal where you pay £35 and it comes with 1gb (top-ups are £15/gb) but the good thing about the deal is you don't need to top up every month and can just stash it in a drawer for a year and still be able to use it. That's the one i'm thinking about getting.

 

[GammaJammer]

That's not a bad shout actually. So it's a £35 one off charge to buy the thing? I assume you also pay £15 to top up as well? So initial hit of £50?

 

[Masquerade]

No no, even better. It comes with 1gb on it. You pay £35 so you're actually paying £20 for the stick + £15 for the 1gb and then when you want a top-up it costs £15 for every gb.

USB Modem Stick - Vodafone