Design
3's Mobile Broadband USB Modem looked a touch familiar when it landed at CNET.com.au a short while back, and indeed it should. The 3 Mobile Broadband USB Modem is in fact a Huawei external USB modem of exactly the same type as the Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G HSDPA USB Modem. We can't think of a better descriptor for the modem than that which appeared in the original review:
"The USB modem looks more like a soap-on-a-rope, or at least soap-on-a-USB-cable."
As with the Vodafone variant, 3 gives you a small USB cable for direct connection, as well as a lengthier USB cable with optional second connector for providing additional power.
Features
The USB Modem uses HSDPA with a top data download speed of 3.6Mbps and upload speed of up to 384kbps. The client software -- Windows or Mac -- is extremely simple to use, but then again this is a modem only; there's precious little to configure.
Usage of the Mobile Broadband USB Modem is subject to 3's data tariffs. At the time of writing, 3 plans were available. AU$29/month will score you 200MB of data, AU$49/month nets you 1GB and the top tier AU$69/month plan comes with 2GB of included data. All 3 plans have a 10c/MB excess usage charge within 3's Broadband Zones, but roaming usage outside that will cost you a hefty AU$1.65/MB. That's a tasty AU$1650/GB, so it would be well worth your while to limit your roaming usage, if not eliminate it altogether if possible. The modem itself has a list price of AU$399, although signing up for a plan drops the price to AU$20, AU$10 or free, depending on plan type and duration. Given that it's functionally useless without a plan, we can't see a point in buying it outright.
It's also worth bearing in mind that 3's own X-Series mobiles now offer cheaper data plans than its USB Modem does -- AU$30/month on X-Series will get you 1GB of data per month. Just food for thought in comparative pricing.
Performance
Much has been written and made of the performance of HSDPA networks, especially since most carriers have upgraded to 3.6Mbps HSDPA. We've previously tested 3's HSDPA performance in the centre of Sydney and towards North Sydney, and it's no surprise that we quickly got good HSDPA connections in those locations. 3 doesn't disclose where 3.6Mbps HSDPA cells actually are located, but it doesn't take much guesswork to suggest that the centre of the biggest city in Australia might be a good spot to place them. Checking 3's Sydney coverage map, reveals no details as to other cells, just where 3's "Broadband Zone" extends to. In order to see how 3's network performed outside the CBD, we tested in a number of areas between Hornsby, Epping and Parramatta. All but Hornsby are well within the zone, and we expected big things -- and were largely left a bit disappointed.
Closer in towards Epping and North Ryde we struggled to hit 512kbps (according to tests run at DSLreports.com and CNET.com.au's own Broadband Speed Meter), while on the periphery in Hornsby things we worse. Much, much worse, in fact -- dropping at one point to an unusable 16kbps!
The one saving grace in all of this was that the card seemed to work very diligently to maintain a connection, even when we used it in a truly mobile situation while in a car.
We're not entirely sure if our speed woes were down to the network or the Huawei modem itself, however; our original review of the hardware running on the Vodafone HSDPA network noted the same problems of intermittently very low access speeds, while tests with the PC/Express Card variant showed good results. In a sense it's not relevant at the consumer end whether the hardware or network is at fault, as 3 only offers the one USB modem, so you're stuck for actual choice.
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JK1367
19/09/2008, 11:29 PM
rating
3/10
I fell for the hype believing anyone was better than Telstra. The speeds to download have NEVER exceeded 200kb/s much less than the vaunted 7.2mb/s as the modem displays. Many times I attempt to download i am recieving less than dial-up speeds - sometimes less than 14 kb/s!!!! So terribly frustrating!! The customer service is full of platitudes and patronising staff who really are just playing the company line and love to blame you when you complain about the terribly slow dial up speeds when trying to do something. Every now and then it works ok but far too often it is to slow to bother with. Once you sign up you're a customer and they don't care
Pros: Quick set-up.
Cons: consistently slow speeds. patronising staff when you complain. locked into 24 month contract without quality service!!
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cbzee
14/09/2008, 07:07 PM
rating
1/10
Absolutely S**T.
Dial up is faster. Takes ages to watch 5 min video. What kind of connection is this. 3 Claims average 1.5 mbps, but no where near that speed. Locked into 24 months contract.... NOT HAPPY
Pros: NOTHING
Cons: EVERYTHING
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Rabbit
07/09/2008, 11:16 AM
rating
1/10
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
Pros: None. Last reviewer far too generous!
Cons: Slow.
Connection drops out all the time.
Expensive.
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romanisng
07/09/2008, 11:09 AM
rating
1/10
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.
Pros: Modem connects easily when you start.
Average enough speed.
Cons: Poor reception.
Expensive (VERY!) if exceed allowance.
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nocomputer
05/08/2008, 03:21 PM
rating
1/10
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?
Pros: Took a while to die
Cons: Dead computer
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mikky24
03/08/2008, 08:04 AM
rating
2/10
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
Pros: it lasted 6 months well
Cons: it seems to auto self destruct after six months like anything made in china
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ken.m
02/08/2008, 06:18 PM
rating
3/10
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.....
Pros: costomer service persons know how to talk nice....and give promises.....
Cons: How long network team will take to fix the issue I cant telll...(Please fix before I die.......)
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Nevets
27/05/2008, 04:39 PM
rating
9/10
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.
Pros: Cheap for what you get (ie. $29 per month for 2GB or $15 for $1GB if existing customer. Great rates in UK & Hong Kong
Cons: Can be quite expensive overseas opr whilst roaming.
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Taswegian
16/05/2008, 10:36 AM
rating
2/10
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.
Pros: Good price.
Cons: Totally unreliable.
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cutenick
09/05/2008, 08:54 PM
rating
3/10
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?
Pros: Easy set up, good speeds
Cons: No signal inspite of being in a capital city center.
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