When will moble networks offer data only?

englishpremier · 10 Aug 2011 at 14:54

Facebook have launched their new messenger service, android already has Google talk, blackberry has their own messenger, and Apple are working on theirs.

With VOIP providers like Skype and viber and eventually Google voice, is there really any need for us to use traditional mobile providers to make calls and texts?

I'd like to see more (any) data only providers. Concentrating on high-speed HSDPA connections and good coverage.

Do any already exist?

Bennie-Mac · 10 Aug 2011 at 15:14

Im pretty sure the american providers offer these for the likes of the iPad 3g, nothing really over here yet. Best i noticed was tmobile sim only with 100texts and 100minutes + 500MB Data for £10.21. Not enough data though.

MikeHunt79 · 10 Aug 2011 at 15:24

I think 3 may do a sim for iPad's which is data only...

englishpremier · 10 Aug 2011 at 15:27

I'd love a cheap data only connection for my old San Francisco.

Talk mobile now do a £1 per month PAYG, but it includes minutes and sms, not data.

V4NT0M · 10 Aug 2011 at 15:50

Most providers do dongles these days, just take the sim from the dongle and put it in your phone.

Myshra · 10 Aug 2011 at 16:06

Can we also include BT and all in this who won't sell a line just for ADSL because I refuse to pay for a service I don't use (suck it BT, I went with cable). But yeah, ipad deals are the best for this. All networks do them afaik?

englishpremier · 10 Aug 2011 at 16:25

The current deals are all pretty much as expensive as just taking out a contract.

I could get giffgaff for £10 a month, that includes a load of calls and minutes. So they must be able to do a pure data only plan for less.

In the future I can see many providers becoming nothing more than "dumb pipes" just like ISPs, gas, electric and other utilities.

@Myshra - don't me started on BT. I pay £18 and have never made a single call. My ISP is vivaciti so that's another £20 a month. So £38 for broadband. I do live next door to the exchange though, so it's might fast ;-)

Bennie-Mac · 10 Aug 2011 at 18:32

Skyfall said:
Most providers do dongles these days, just take the sim from the dongle and put it in your phone.

Never even considered that, does it definitely work?

jon86 · 10 Aug 2011 at 18:39

The all-you-can-eat data PAYG £15 add-on (lasts for 30 days) from 3 is probably about as good as you can get at the moment. 300 minutes, 3000 texts and truly unlimited data. I've sent 4GB and received 7GB through 3G on my iPhone in the last 50 days with no problems at all.

Tunney · 10 Aug 2011 at 19:02

This from 3. £5 a month, no calls included, no texts included, just 2GB of internet.

jon86 · 11 Aug 2011 at 18:19

Tunney said:
This from 3. £5 a month, no calls included, no texts included, just 2GB of internet.

I stand corrected.

dasyad · 11 Aug 2011 at 18:32

I kinda like being able to use my phone as a phone

Deep · 12 Aug 2011 at 10:23

jon86 said:
The all-you-can-eat data PAYG £15 add-on (lasts for 30 days) from 3 is probably about as good as you can get at the moment. 300 minutes, 3000 texts and truly unlimited data. I've sent 4GB and received 7GB through 3G on my iPhone in the last 50 days with no problems at all.

Jesus!
Doing what?!

Dr House · 12 Aug 2011 at 17:44

T-mobile offered me a second Data only sim for my iPad for 5.25 per month on our business one contract

MikeHunt79 · 13 Aug 2011 at 02:59

Deep said:
Jesus!
Doing what?!

With apps like Justin.tv it's pretty easy to use a lot of data....

I used around 1gb in 1 night once, albiet over wifi and not 3G...