Mobile broadband - best provider?

Padna · 02-12-2008, 14:36

Does anyone have experience of using a modem from one of the ROI mobile phone companies on the train between Dublin and Dundalk to access the internet from a laptop? If so, do you know which company provides the best coverage along the route?

tigger1962 · 02-12-2008, 14:44

I've used a three modem and a vodafine modem so far on this route! Of the two, the three modem has less dropouts than vodafone (both e220) I'll know the situation with an o2 modem next week!

Padna · 02-12-2008, 14:49

Thanks for the info! Let us know how O2 compares when you've used it.

How many dropouts do you get with three? Would it be satisfactory for working (i.e. connect to my office network) as opposed to just browsing for personal use?

Mark Gleeson · 02-12-2008, 14:53

Next challenge is to find a power socket in a enterprise coach, then you can have the full mobile office while stuck in a field somewhere in north Dublin

Colm Moore · 02-12-2008, 17:34

You need to consider whether having two accounts is better than roaming and I suspect it would be cheaper. Roaming costs for data have tended to be extortionary.

tigger1962 · 03-12-2008, 10:33

I can so far only comment on the two I have used between Dundalk and Dublin. I have used a vpn client to connect to my work with the three modem and with a good signal it was quite good. The main dropout areas I have found are between skerries and Balbriggan, sometimes between howth Junction and malahide - especially coming into malahide, and two other spots between Drogheda and Dundalk - one between Drogheda and dunleer and then about 5 minutes from Dundalk, this one seems to affect quite a few carriers though, inc O2.
On the roaming front.. 3 is actually very good!! I've used the 3 modem in NI, Scotland, Wales and london and had excellent coverage and speeds compared to Ireland and even on lake Garda in Italy

and their 3 like home policy applies for broadband usage in countried that they have a presence which meant it came out of my monthy allowance/costs!

Peter FitzPatrick · 04-12-2008, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by tiger1962

I've used the 3 modem in NI, Scotland, Wales and london and had excellent coverage and speeds compared to Ireland and even on lake Garda in Italy and their 3 like home policy applies for broadband usage in countried that they have a presence which meant it came out of my monthy allowance/costs!

it actually worked for me when i got stuck in northern iceland ! faster than home too

definitely find 'three' to be the best, very few drop outs if any, and its only 20 euro a month.

tigger1962 · 04-12-2008, 15:30

i won't get into over who is a better provider! my experience to date is based on three and vodafone. it depends on who's masts the coverage is provided.. i know 3 signed agreements with vodafone to coverage where they hadn't coverage but I also know from past experience that IE provided masts to esat now o2! I'm not sure what agreements are currently in place. But for the moment... all i can say is 3 provide the best coverage on the northern line currently

tigger1962 · 04-12-2008, 15:34

and before the more techie ppl reply

yes i know BT is currently esat so the lines are probably theirs..it will be interesting next year to see how much three will upgrade their network as part of the broadband contracts!

Colm Moore · 04-12-2008, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by tigger1962

The main dropout areas I have found are between skerries and Balbriggan, sometimes between howth Junction and malahide - especially coming into malahide, and two other spots between Drogheda and Dundalk - one between Drogheda and dunleer and then about 5 minutes from Dundalk, this one seems to affect quite a few carriers though, inc O2.

That seems to be consistant with where there are cuttings on the railway and so should be reasonably predictable, although you might find slightly different reception areas nothbound to southbound due to reflection.

ErnestGoodheart · 05-12-2008, 13:36

Have 3 prepay for laptop.

Rubbish. In Meath, and in Dublin.

Worst of all, whenever I am down in Wicklow visiting my folks, it's even worse, despite being on top of a hill, surrounded by nothing but air.

tigger1962 · 08-12-2008, 16:08

day 2 of using the o2 modem, no dropouts between Connolly and Drogheda. In fact if i was to believe the mac app supplied, i got 1.6mbs at one stage. At drogheda it drop to wcdma for longer. There has been no dropout between Drogheda and dunleer, leaving the usual one between Dunleer and Dundalk.

now i don't know if this is correct but i may have dropped to using the o2 EDGE network but i got good data rates and my VPN client remained connected for a good section of the journey. Based on this... it is beginning to look like O2 has the best coverage on the Northern Line to Dundalk

and at the price I'm paying no complaints so far!

02-12-2008, 14:36	#1
Padna Regular Poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 69	Mobile broadband - best provider? Does anyone have experience of using a modem from one of the ROI mobile phone companies on the train between Dublin and Dundalk to access the internet from a laptop? If so, do you know which company provides the best coverage along the route?

02-12-2008, 14:53	#4
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	Next challenge is to find a power socket in a enterprise coach, then you can have the full mobile office while stuck in a field somewhere in north Dublin __________________ Unhappy with new timetable - let us know

02-12-2008, 17:34	#5
Colm Moore Local Liaison Officer Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,442	You need to consider whether having two accounts is better than roaming and I suspect it would be cheaper. Roaming costs for data have tended to be extortionary. __________________

05-12-2008, 13:36	#11
ErnestGoodheart New to the board Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wicklow Town Posts: 25	Have 3 prepay for laptop. Rubbish. In Meath, and in Dublin. Worst of all, whenever I am down in Wicklow visiting my folks, it's even worse, despite being on top of a hill, surrounded by nothing but air. __________________ www.ernestgoodheart.com

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02-12-2008, 14:44	#2
tigger1962 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kilcurry Posts: 501	I've used a three modem and a vodafine modem so far on this route! Of the two, the three modem has less dropouts than vodafone (both e220) I'll know the situation with an o2 modem next week!

02-12-2008, 14:49	#3
Padna Regular Poster Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 69	Thanks for the info! Let us know how O2 compares when you've used it. How many dropouts do you get with three? Would it be satisfactory for working (i.e. connect to my office network) as opposed to just browsing for personal use?

03-12-2008, 10:33	#6
tigger1962 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kilcurry Posts: 501	I can so far only comment on the two I have used between Dundalk and Dublin. I have used a vpn client to connect to my work with the three modem and with a good signal it was quite good. The main dropout areas I have found are between skerries and Balbriggan, sometimes between howth Junction and malahide - especially coming into malahide, and two other spots between Drogheda and Dundalk - one between Drogheda and dunleer and then about 5 minutes from Dundalk, this one seems to affect quite a few carriers though, inc O2. On the roaming front.. 3 is actually very good!! I've used the 3 modem in NI, Scotland, Wales and london and had excellent coverage and speeds compared to Ireland and even on lake Garda in Italy and their 3 like home policy applies for broadband usage in countried that they have a presence which meant it came out of my monthy allowance/costs!

04-12-2008, 15:30	#8
tigger1962 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kilcurry Posts: 501	i won't get into over who is a better provider! my experience to date is based on three and vodafone. it depends on who's masts the coverage is provided.. i know 3 signed agreements with vodafone to coverage where they hadn't coverage but I also know from past experience that IE provided masts to esat now o2! I'm not sure what agreements are currently in place. But for the moment... all i can say is 3 provide the best coverage on the northern line currently

04-12-2008, 15:34	#9
tigger1962 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kilcurry Posts: 501	and before the more techie ppl reply yes i know BT is currently esat so the lines are probably theirs..it will be interesting next year to see how much three will upgrade their network as part of the broadband contracts!

08-12-2008, 16:08	#12
tigger1962 Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Kilcurry Posts: 501	day 2 of using the o2 modem, no dropouts between Connolly and Drogheda. In fact if i was to believe the mac app supplied, i got 1.6mbs at one stage. At drogheda it drop to wcdma for longer. There has been no dropout between Drogheda and dunleer, leaving the usual one between Dunleer and Dundalk. now i don't know if this is correct but i may have dropped to using the o2 EDGE network but i got good data rates and my VPN client remained connected for a good section of the journey. Based on this... it is beginning to look like O2 has the best coverage on the Northern Line to Dundalk and at the price I'm paying no complaints so far!