3G Mobile Datacards UK

Data services are provided by Vodafone, Orange, T-Mobile and, most recently, O2.

These solutions, all based on a PC Card-plus-software bundle, are in their infancy and are evolving as the competitive landscape changes. Therefore, you’ll need to look carefully at factors such as 3G network speed and coverage, handover between 3G, GPRS and in some cases Wi-Fi networks, and tariff structure.

3G datacards UK O2 Data Card 3GO2 follows Vodafone, Orange and T-Mobile into the 3G market with a data card offering broadband connectivity on the move. Like T-Mobile and Vodafone, O2 adds Wi-Fi access to the 3G/GPRS connectivity bundle. However, you’ll need an O2 phone to handle the Wi-Fi billing. Orange 3G Mobile Office CardOrange’s 3G data card introduces some much-needed competition into this fledgling market, but there’s still some way to go on pricing and usability. T-Mobile 3G Communication CentreT-Mobile’s 3G datacard includes access to Wi-Fi hot-spots as part of the bundle, but its ease of installation and tariff structure could be improved. Vodafone 3G datacardData services, rather than video calls, could be the ‘killer app’ for 3G, and Vodafone is the first to market with its Mobile Connect 3G datacard. It’s not perfect, but it’s a big step forward for mobile connectivity.

3G Datacard Specs
	O2 Data Card 3G	Orange 3G Mobile Card	T-Mobile 3G Communication Centre	Vodafone 3G datacard
3G coverage	02 3G Coverage	Orange 3G Coverage	T-Mobile 3G Coverage	Vodafone 3G Coverage
Protocols supported	3G, GPRS, SMS	3G, GPRS, SMS	3G, GPRS, SMS	3G, GPRS, SMS
Software	O2 Connection Manager	Mobile Office Card dashboard	T-Mobile 3G Communication Centre	Vodafone Dashboard
Wi-Fi hot-spot access	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes