We test the latest HSDPA mobile broadband hardware on the 3G networks of Telstra's Next G, Vodafone and 3.
Towards the end of last year, CNET.com.au compared the first wave of HSDPA laptop cards designed to piggyback your laptop onto the enhanced Telstra, 3 and Vodafone mobile phone networks.
Two of those three carriers have since released USB wireless modems that are compatible with a wider range of notebooks (such as Apple's popular, but slot-free, MacBook series).
In addition, 3 has flicked the switch on its long-awaited HSDPA 3.6 upgrade for Sydney, with the rest of its network to follow before the end of March.
Our revised and updated reviews of this second-gen gear will help you choose the right HSDPA hardware, and the right network, for your mobile adventures.
Don't let speed alone be the deciding factor, unless it's so all-important that money is of no concern. Coverage has to come into play, so take advantage of any carrier offers to trial their HSDPA gear before you commit to a contract.
Then set your mobile broadband budget. As you'd expect, and as shown by our quick comparison table below, both prices and download ceilings vary widely and wildly between the carriers. Telstra remains faithful to its reputation as the most expensive carrier thanks to stratospheric Next G rates, although it's the price you pay for such a surprisingly high and stable level of performance. Vodafone has carefully balanced plans for the business user, while 3 remains as delightfully aggressive as always.
| Carrier | Network | Average CDB speeds (as tested by CNET.com.au) |
Low usage | High usage | Extreme usage | Excess data |
| Telstra | Next G (HSDPA 3.6) | 1.8Mbps, peak of 2.2Mbps (USB modem) | $50 for 200MB at 256Kbps (G Fast service) | $80 for 1GB at 256Kbps (G Fast), $110 for 1GB at up to 1500Kbps (Super G Fast) | $200 for 3GB at up to 1500Kbps (Super G Fast) |
30c/MB |
| 3 | 3G (HSDPA 3.6) | 1.4Mbps, peak of 1.7Mbps (ExpressCard modem) | $30 for 200MB | $50 for 1GB | $70 for 2GB | 10c/MB |
| Vodafone | 3G (HSDPA 1.8) | 1.2Mbps, peak of 2.2Mbps (USB modem) | $50 for 300MB | $100 for 1GB | No plans above 1GB | 30c/MB |
3 NetConnect Mobile Broadband Card (HSDPA)
3's NetConnect mobile broadband card combines HSDPA speeds, compatibility with ExpessCard and PC Card laptop slots and exceptional pricing plans into a magic mobility mix.
Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G HSDPA Card
Vodafone's enhanced notebook PC Card delivers what the mobile telco calls 'business class 3G broadband' — but until more of the 3G network is upgraded with HSDPA, most users will remain stuck in economy seats.
Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G HSDPA USB Modem
Vodafone's compact USB modem boosts accessibility to the telco's high-speed 3G mobile network — but the speed can range from over 2Mbps to less than 300Kbps depending on your location.
BigPond Next G Wireless Broadband USB Mobile Card
Telstra's Next G USB modem pushes the wireless broadband needle past 2Mbps, making it a better choice than its sibling PC Card in most (but not all) situations.
BigPond Next G Wireless Broadband Mobile Card
Fancy a 1.3Mbps broadband pipeline direct to your notebook, without a cable in sight? The new BigPond wireless data card makes good on Telstra's lofty promises for its Next G network.
BigPond Next G Wireless Broadband USB Desktop Modem
This funky looking USB desktop modem looks to muscle in on the wireless broadband market.
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drpump
20/02/2007 04:24 PM
You probably need separate entries for Telstra MobileNet and Telstra BigPond. The MobileNet data packs are better value than BigPond, particularly for high-speed access.
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Incomplete
23/05/2007 01:50 PM
You've neglected the option of using a mobile phone as a modem for your PC pm an existing plan. In this case, Vodafone (the only provider to incorporate data charges into the capped plans) comes out to be a faster and cheaper service than the other alternatives.
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bonfort33
09/07/2007 08:17 PM
Is any one of these services compatible with any of the others? Can you take the SIM card out of one and put it in another? Will any be compatible with proposed federal government services? Vodafones excess MB charge is 10 cents which makes it competitive.
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