Using a 3G modem as primary internet

Troop · 28 Jul 2014 at 16:44

Doraku said:
We're currently using VOIP so satellite probably wouldn't work either.

3G is fantastic. I have used 30GB and it is still working at 12Mbps during peak times.

I didn't really understand about the ariael? Are we enhancing the 3G connection?

Nice! Is that 4G? I bet you don't get much download allowance though!

Antenna just boosts the signals it can see so you get better connection/faster speed(bit like being a lot closer to the mast than you really are).

My setup for when out in the Van miles from anywhere in Wales.

Rozzy85 · 28 Jul 2014 at 17:12

Troop said:
Antenna just boosts the signals it can see so you get better connection/faster speed(bit like being a lot closer to the mast than you really are).

My setup for when out in the Van miles from anywhere in Wales.

Does the antenna need it's own power source to boost the signal or does it just run straight of the device? Would it drain the battery of say a mobile phone more?

ADSL has gone to the dogs so I would probably use 3G as it was pretty good here surprisingly. Latency is too high though and it's typical that I'm like just a mile or two out of range of the 4G mast down the road.

gjrc · 28 Jul 2014 at 17:16

try these guys:

https://www1.relish.net/?gclid=Cj0K...Yrl49CtVi00kCEuPECDavfOAdxYcq29nKMaAuST8P8HAQ

Monkeynut · 28 Jul 2014 at 17:17

Rozzy85 said:
Does the antenna need it's own power source to boost the signal or does it just run straight of the device? Would it drain the battery of say a mobile phone more?

ADSL has gone to the dogs so I would probably use 3G as it was pretty good here surprisingly. Latency is too high though and it's typical that I'm like just a mile or two out of range of the 4G mast down the road.

That sort of setup might get you 4G in your location.

Seft · 28 Jul 2014 at 17:24

bJN said:
Not any more unfortunately. When 4G arrived they decided to can the all-you-can-eat data idea, so to speak. There is still a version available to do it, which I think is £20, but it's bloody awkward to actually get it.

Fortunately I'm on the old plan: £15/month with unlimited 4G tethering. It's amazing!

Tom0 · 28 Jul 2014 at 17:27

I used mobile dongle for about 3 weeks whilst moving a few weeks back, bearable but not something I could put up with permanently.

Troop · 28 Jul 2014 at 17:48

Rozzy85 said:
Does the antenna need it's own power source to boost the signal or does it just run straight of the device? Would it drain the battery of say a mobile phone more?

ADSL has gone to the dogs so I would probably use 3G as it was pretty good here surprisingly. Latency is too high though and it's typical that I'm like just a mile or two out of range of the 4G mast down the road.

Antenna has no power its just an antenna, like what you have in your phone/Mifi already, just bigger with a higher gain.

TommyV · 28 Jul 2014 at 17:55

TheBDog said:
> Wait for release of 4G dongles
> Buy said dongle
>
> Profit

Hello, 2009!

In seriousness, if it is anything like tethering than it's bloomin awful! Trying to survive on tethered 3G until my VM is installed tomorrow. It's crap, and I live literally a mile from the EE offices and about 300 metres from a mast.

Tom_ed1987 · 28 Jul 2014 at 18:57

I used to use my phone (three one plan) as my main internet connection for around 1 year.
Available ADSL -2mbit
3G HSDPA+ - 13mbit

DB_SamX · 28 Jul 2014 at 19:48

I have used 3's MIfi for a couple of years, including playing bf2. I didn't stream movies back then. It was decent enough as long as I didn't go overboard.

Pawnless Endgame · 28 Jul 2014 at 20:56

A few of you mentioned satellite, but isn't that downlink-only? A friend of mine had it a few years back, and he had to use 56k dialup for the uplink which would sometimes bottleneck his relatively fast satellite downlink.

pitchfork · 29 Jul 2014 at 08:23

Monserrat said:
A few of you mentioned satellite, but isn't that downlink-only? A friend of mine had it a few years back, and he had to use 56k dialup for the uplink which would sometimes bottleneck his relatively fast satellite downlink.

I'm no expert - perhaps phone up the satellite companies and ask them about options?

EDIT: http://www.thinkbroadband.com/guide/satellite-broadband.html

Apparently uplink isn't too bad?

tribz · 29 Jul 2014 at 08:26

Monserrat said:
A few of you mentioned satellite, but isn't that downlink-only? A friend of mine had it a few years back, and he had to use 56k dialup for the uplink which would sometimes bottleneck his relatively fast satellite downlink.

Its two way now which makes the latency 8-900ms

krooton · 29 Jul 2014 at 08:32

Seft said:
Fortunately I'm on the old plan: £15/month with unlimited 4G tethering. It's amazing!

Same, plus free 3G roaming in the 'Feel At Home' associated countries

Doraku · 29 Jul 2014 at 23:20

krooton said:
Same, plus free 3G roaming in the 'Feel At Home' associated countries

I thought they stopped that!

How much do you guys use as an average a month? Do you find any degradation in quality? I have used 30GB this month!

POB · 30 Jul 2014 at 00:48

Troop, any more details \ name or model of that antenna? I could make good use of my unlimited tethering with a better signal.
Thanks.

Doraku · 30 Jul 2014 at 17:10

Just spoke with a wireless ISP, and while they didn't immediately cover my area I could get an extra powerful transceiver. It isn't exactly cheap though.