Mobile Data Cards - the best one for business?

[m40wen]

Hi all,

I have searched this topic and I dont think anyone has posted similarly so here goes...

In a bid to get out of the office at a reasonable hour and 'work' on the train, I have managed to persuade my bosses to get a datacard for our laptops. The one I proposed was the vodaphone one (no reason in particular). However, technology have blocked the move as they said they couldnt recommend it as it was unreliable.

I was therefore wondering if this was valid (they said testing had taken place last year - I am therefore not sure if its the same card or not). Is another network better? I basically need it between London and Bournemouth, and mainly for work email access (I work for a bank, so the connection MUST be secured as well). Allowance will be around 1000mb, though I think Orange have dropped their prices in line with Vodaphone.

Can anyone help me regain getting out of the office by 5? It makes a lot more sense for me and will mean I can get home at a reasonable hour!

[m40wen]

Sorry chaps, but do none of you experts in the field have any knowledge of this?

[meansizzler]

Vodaphone seem the cheapest, £40-£60 for 1000MB, you can get a card from expansys.co.uk, make sure you have a free PCMCIA slot, also vodaphones 3G signal seems the most widespread, forget about orange, not enough antennas..

[m40wen]

Originally Posted by meansizzler

Vodaphone seem the cheapest, £40-£60 for 1000MB, you can get a card from expansys.co.uk, make sure you have a free PCMCIA slot, also vodaphones 3G signal seems the most widespread, forget about orange, not enough antennas..

Thanks mate, thats great.

Are they worthwhile though? Our IT support not backing the proposal does not help me, yet I see alot of people using them on the train. Id much rather be working on the way home then stay later in the office then commute, but my bosses wont be too impressed if I cant keep in contact out of the office.

As I say, all I really need if for me to be online for my email (I dont want a blackberry as sometimes i get large files). There seems to be choice from all the main telecom suppliers, so therefore was wondering if vodaphone was the best. I dont think cost will be too much of an issue within reason. Just need the quickest and most reliable!

Thanks for any views posted back. This is quite important as it means I could get my life back in the week!

Make sure you get a 3g datacard and your download speeds will be as good as broadband. Vodafone generally have the best coverage but you will need to check that they have 3g coverage all the way to Bournemouth. They can be expensive though as you will be charged for data downloaded outwith any allowances that are given so check the cost per mb.

Originally Posted by m40wen

Thanks mate, thats great.

Are they worthwhile though? Our IT support not backing the proposal does not help me, yet I see alot of people using them on the train. Id much rather be working on the way home then stay later in the office then commute, but my bosses wont be too impressed if I cant keep in contact out of the office.

As I say, all I really need if for me to be online for my email (I dont want a blackberry as sometimes i get large files). There seems to be choice from all the main telecom suppliers, so therefore was wondering if vodaphone was the best. I dont think cost will be too much of an issue within reason. Just need the quickest and most reliable!

Thanks for any views posted back. This is quite important as it means I could get my life back in the week!

[m40wen]

Originally Posted by fergie2209

Make sure you get a 3g datacard and your download speeds will be as good as broadband. Vodafone generally have the best coverage but you will need to check that they have 3g coverage all the way to Bournemouth. They can be expensive though as you will be charged for data downloaded outwith any allowances that are given so check the cost per mb.

Thanks fergie. I thought the vodaphone package was £45 for up to 1 gig (which will be enough), though cost isnt an issue as I work for a large co-operation and the business will be picking it up. However, if the cards are broadband speed that will be quick enough to stay on the companys intranet (remote access isnt the quickest!).

I take it then the consensus is to go for vodaphone rather than anything else? I must admit I thought orange had the best coverage, but I have no brand loyalty, just want the best product!

If you are in the city go to an Orange and Voda shop and get them to check the coverage for you and compare the deals. If they want the sale they will help you.