Tethering

[Gringotts Bank]

I haven't used my laptop with the mobile tethered before but it looks like a good option since mobile broadband is so expensive.

For those who have done it:

--What speeds can you get typically with Telstra 3G, and with Optus?
--Can you make and receive phone calls whilst tethered?
--Is there any reason why dropouts would be more common than mobile broadband?
--How much more quickly does the phone's battery run down, and can you have the phone charging while you surf?
--Any pitfalls?

Thanks.

 

[Some Dude]

I haven't used my laptop with the mobile tethered before but it looks like a good option since mobile broadband is so expensive.

For those who have done it:

--What speeds can you get typically with Telstra 3G, and with Optus?
--Can you make and receive phone calls whilst tethered?
--Is there any reason why dropouts would be more common than mobile broadband?
--How much more quickly does the phone's battery run down, and can you have the phone charging while you surf?
--Any pitfalls?

Thanks.

Try searching Whirlpool for experiences with various carriers. My experiences with iPhone hotspot tethering, and Telstra's 4G wireless modem is that it works but not reliably i.e. dropouts, periods of slow speeds, etc. I recall when I did tether, the phone got much hotter than usual and the primary pitfall is managing your data use and cost.

Note that you can tether via wireless or bluetooth. Bluetooth is slower but more reliable between the computer and the phone.

 

[Gringotts Bank]

Try searching Whirlpool for experiences with various carriers. My experiences with iPhone hotspot tethering, and Telstra's 4G wireless modem is that it works but not reliably i.e. dropouts, periods of slow speeds, etc. I recall when I did tether, the phone got much hotter than usual and the primary pitfall is managing your data use and cost.

Note that you can tether via wireless or bluetooth. Bluetooth is slower but more reliable between the computer and the phone.

Thanks Dude.

Been reading up on whirlpool. Seems like it might be an ok option for me so long as my phone doesn't overheat. It's got a reasonable processor and memory so should be ok. I have had it with optus mobile broadband - it can drop out for hours at a time, even if you're sitting under a tower. Telstra 4G mobile bb very expensive.

 

[Some Dude]

Thanks Dude.

Been reading up on whirlpool. Seems like it might be an ok option for me so long as my phone doesn't overheat. It's got a reasonable processor and memory so should be ok. I have had it with optus mobile broadband - it can drop out for hours at a time, even if you're sitting under a tower. Telstra 4G mobile bb very expensive.

I forgot to mention signal black spots. I use my 4G modem for periods away from home and it is surprisingly annoying where and when they can occur. I had a friend who needed broadband access for his work but the house he purchased was unable to connected with adsl at that time so telstra offered him wireless. It was the worst connection experience he had ever experienced. Granted being IT people we tend to judge harshly in these matters but it surprises sometimes where the blackout spots appear. If you are doing this for your residence, do a search first.

 

[Gringotts Bank]

I forgot to mention signal black spots. I use my 4G modem for periods away from home and it is surprisingly annoying where and when they can occur. I had a friend who needed broadband access for his work but the house he purchased was unable to connected with adsl at that time so telstra offered him wireless. It was the worst connection experience he had ever experienced. Granted being IT people we tend to judge harshly in these matters but it surprises sometimes where the blackout spots appear. If you are doing this for your residence, do a search first.

Yeh, I found that out the hard way after buying an optus mobile bb prepaid. They say "yes sure you're right in the middle of the coverage area" then I find out that they have heaps of un-marked black spots on their maps. The sales staff have no idea what's going on. I'm hoping Telstra 3G with a Galaxy S2 will work ok, but will test it out first.

 

[drsmith]

Want cheap mobile broadband ?

Try one of these,

http://dicksmith.com.au/product/E7309/optus-pre-paid-2-sim-card

I got a nanoSIM version over Xmas which had 50MB of included data. Disable Windows Update though before activating.

Fitting a nonoSIM into a device that takes a normal sized SIM slot and getting it to work is another story in itself, but it can be done.

 

[tinhat]

I use my samsung galaxy S2 for tethered wireless internet occasionally on Telstra 3G. I use a wireless connection between the phone and the pc usually. I don't do this very often but it has worked fine whenever I have needed to.