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3 Mobile Broadband USB Modem

By Alex Kidman on 15 June 2007

It's hard to say whether it's the hardware or the network at fault with 3's USB Mobile Broadband USB Modem. Either way, we're not impressed with what it offers.

Editor's rating:6.0 User rating:3.5

Comments (89)

  • Rabbit gave 1/10 on 07/09/2008 11:16

    • Good: None. Last reviewer far too generous!
    • Bad: Slow.
      Connection drops out all the time.
      Expensive.

    Yes I am in same boat as last reviewer. In a contract with 3 Mobile Broadband and it sucks. BIG TIME. Its slow, connection drops out every minute, Its a rip off if you go over allowance. And customer service is more like CUSTOMER DIS-SERVICE! AVOID

  • romanisng gave 1/10 on 07/09/2008 11:09

    • Good: Modem connects easily when you start.
      Average enough speed.
    • Bad: Poor reception.
      Expensive (VERY!) if exceed allowance.

    10 months into 18 month contract with "3 Mobile Broadband" service. Poor connection to begin with. It has gotten worse. Now have to hold moem 'dongle' in one hand like an old aerial to get reception whilst I type with other. It gets so hot too. Always dropping out.

  • nocomputer gave 1/10 on 05/08/2008 15:21

    • Good: Took a while to die
    • Bad: Dead computer

    Was using 3 mobile broadband and the modem seems to have killed my computer. All it does is flash the Leds, it won't start up. Didn't necessarily think it was the modem until I tried on another computer (Vaio) and after a month this crashed as well. Luckily the Vaio woke up when I took the battery out. Anyone heard of anything like that?

  • mikky24 gave 2/10 on 03/08/2008 08:04

    • Good: it lasted 6 months well
    • Bad: it seems to auto self destruct after six months like anything made in china

    was good then six months into my 24 month contract it keeps dropping out i tryed to reinstall software and changed usb ports still nothing. as soon as i connect it disconnects its self i am in the middle of assesments and the reply time has been automated responses very dissapointed

  • ken.m gave 3/10 on 02/08/2008 18:18

    • Good: costomer service persons know how to talk nice....and give promises.....
    • Bad: How long network team will take to fix the issue I cant telll...(Please fix before I die.......)

    3 I relied on the name and bought three mobile $29 plan but when it comes to upload crap and all customer support just promised that our new working team is working.....it is 2 months now I am unable to upload they also know it....No UPLOADING just avoid this.....

  • Nevets gave 9/10 on 27/05/2008 16:39

    • Good: Cheap for what you get (ie. $29 per month for 2GB or $15 for $1GB if existing customer. Great rates in UK & Hong Kong
    • Bad: Can be quite expensive overseas opr whilst roaming.

    Use the 3 Wireless for my Sales Reps throughout Melbourne and personally in Berwick. No problems at all. Sales reps use in all capital citeis and Managers have used around the world. Great in UK, Hong Kong as $0.50 mb, however need to be careful as many others are $20 mb. Can't complain about speeds for price.

  • Taswegian gave 2/10 on 16/05/2008 10:36

    • Good: Good price.
    • Bad: Totally unreliable.

    Have had nothing but problems with the USB modem. Constant dropouts and slow speeds. Goes from full signal to nothing constantly. There should be an out clause in the contracts for products that don't perform. I am in a full coverage area. Our old dialup connection was much faster and far more reliable.

  • cutenick gave 3/10 on 09/05/2008 20:54

    • Good: Easy set up, good speeds
    • Bad: No signal inspite of being in a capital city center.

    I live in right next to Melbourne Central in the CBD and dont get any signal unless i stand out in the balcony. Does anyone know if a wireless USB signal booster will do any good?

  • Bill gave 2/10 on 17/04/2008 23:49

    • Good: Cheap, and it does work.
    • Bad: It works too slowly. User comments dated 2007 seem better. Maybe 3 have outsold the system capacity in 2008.

    VERY disappointing. 3 wireless broadband should be at least as fast as 'dial up'. Not here in Perth, and it isn't only in my area. Signal strength is good. I've checked with other 3 users and they have the same problem. Though it is reliable the slowness is very frustrating.

  • 0433445413 gave 10/10 on 02/04/2008 01:44

    • Good: PURCHASED PLAN WITH IN 13MIN I WAS ON THE INTERNET. ACHEIVED MAXIMUM DOWNLOAD SPEED STRAIT AWAY. AND THE EMAIL SYSTEM IS A BONUS TOO
    • Bad: DONT BUY VODAFONE (DODGYBROSS)

    I AM FROM ADELAIDE I PURCHASED THE 6GIG $70 3MOBILE PLAN ITS THE KING AFTER LEAVING THE STORE I WAS HOME IN 10MIN AND ON THE INTERNET IN 3MIN WITH FULL SIGNAL STRENGTH AND FULL SPEED UNLIKE VODAFONS BULLSH*T SIGNAL DROPOUT PROBLEM AND 3G NOW HAS ITS OWN EMAIL SYSTEM NOW!!!! (DIRECTED AT TRAY COMMENT)!!!!!! AND MOBILE FONE MESAGING TOO. JUST TO NAME A FEW THINGS. THE MODEM SPEED IS ALWAYS 7.2MBPS AND FULL DLOAD@3.6MBPS ALWAYS. ITS THE KING COMPARED TO VODAFONE AND THERE SERVER NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED AND HARDWARE TOO. IS SH#T

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