Connect online using broadband dongle 2.5MB speeds?

wilmaV · 01-11-2009, 2:39 PM

Hi - i have just moved into a flat for 6 months so have had to get broadband through a mobile dongle - i get speeds of approx 2.5MB. Firstly, can i connect from my mac either wirelessly to a PS3 or via ethernet and get on-line by using a dongle and secondly is there any issues with my speed being 2.5MB?

Thanks, Wilma

Workshed · 02-11-2009, 9:30 AM

The speed doesn't actually matter too much, anything 0.5mb or greater will be fine. The real issue is the latency (i.e. the time it takes for data to get from your PS3 to where it needs to get to, Sony server, etc). Over a broadband dongle this will take a lot longer than if you were on ADSL or cable broadband so you will find it totally unsuitable for online gaming. If all you want to do is see your friends list and download updates then that's probably workable.

To get it online you'll need to investigate internet connection sharing, sorry i can't be more specific but it's not something i've ever had the need to do

wilmaV · 02-11-2009, 9:52 AM

Hi - thanks for the feedback - i did a speed test and the latency came back with a ping of 189 - isn't that a goo low speed?

Workshed · 02-11-2009, 9:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilmaV

Hi - thanks for the feedback - i did a speed test and the latency came back with a ping of 189 - isn't that a goo low speed?

I'll try and remember to check mine when i get back home but my gut feeling is that you want something in the 50ms region, 189ms is way too big.

wilmaV · 02-11-2009, 10:20 AM

I did a search online and found a site that gave lag times against ping speeds and 189 fell into approx 1/4 second bracket which didn't seem too bad - i'll have another search on that and check though.

Workshed · 02-11-2009, 10:29 AM

You could always give it a go but i would be surprised if you had much fun with it. At the end of the day you physically can't transmit data over the air to a cell tower, then to the network operator, then out on to the internet as fast as just going through a copper or fibre optic cable to the ISP and out to the internet. So heavy lag will be something you will have to live with if you're stuck with the wireless dongle.