Question about Mobile Broadband

jarwyn · 16-01-2009, 11:28

Hi

I've got a sort of technical question about Mobile Broadband which I'm hoping someone will be able to help me with.

For work reasons I'm going to be working away from home for a year or so, and I'm hoping to keep in touch with my wife over MSN and webcam. We have broadband at home, and I have a laptop, and apart from using the webcam I'll be doing very little downloading.

I've been looking at the data allowances (O2 - as I have a mobile contract with them) and the allowances they have are 500Mb, 1GB, 3Gb, 9Gb & 10Gb per month.

So, the question is this - how many hours of webcam & MSN use can I get with say the 10Gb data allowance?

If using Mobile Broadband is not an option, can anyone suggest another mobile option that would allow me to do what I need? The place I'm staying in is a room in a B&B (No dedicated phone line).

Many thanks in advance.

flagpole · 16-01-2009, 11:49

mobile broadband is certainly an option.

it's difficult to say how much bandwidth you will need, it will depend on what settings you use..

your best bet would be to install a programme like netmeter
http://www.metal-machine.de/readerror/

it will tell you how much data you are using. it has counters too so you can reset the counter, have a 5 minute MSN, or whatever, and see how much data it uses.

you could maybe have a fiddle with the quality settings too, see if reducing the quality settings a bit is worth while.

paulj48 · 16-01-2009, 11:57

You need to make sure you have a good 3G signal where your planing to use the webcam. I have a good 3G signal outside my house but when I go inside the signal and speed drops considerably.

Have you though about the option of looking for a free wifi provider depending where you are? all McDonalds offer free Wifi and some pubs and coffe shops do also. Its worth a try before you commit to a contract.

mpquikster · 16-01-2009, 18:45

I have a 7gb one with 3. I surf the web for around an hour or 2 every day, download songs and have never come close to using my monthly allowance. Wish I'd have chosen a cheaper smaller option now...

Babelicious · 16-01-2009, 18:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpquikster

I have a 7gb one with 3. I surf the web for around an hour or 2 every day, download songs and have never come close to using my monthly allowance. Wish I'd have chosen a cheaper smaller option now...

i normally get the 3gb with 3 and it lasts about 100hrs cos i just surf and go on msn.

16-01-2009, 11:28	#1
jarwyn Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 461	Question about Mobile Broadband Hi I've got a sort of technical question about Mobile Broadband which I'm hoping someone will be able to help me with. For work reasons I'm going to be working away from home for a year or so, and I'm hoping to keep in touch with my wife over MSN and webcam. We have broadband at home, and I have a laptop, and apart from using the webcam I'll be doing very little downloading. I've been looking at the data allowances (O2 - as I have a mobile contract with them) and the allowances they have are 500Mb, 1GB, 3Gb, 9Gb & 10Gb per month. So, the question is this - how many hours of webcam & MSN use can I get with say the 10Gb data allowance? If using Mobile Broadband is not an option, can anyone suggest another mobile option that would allow me to do what I need? The place I'm staying in is a room in a B&B (No dedicated phone line). Many thanks in advance.

16-01-2009, 11:49	#2
flagpole Inactive Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 43,524	mobile broadband is certainly an option. it's difficult to say how much bandwidth you will need, it will depend on what settings you use.. your best bet would be to install a programme like netmeter http://www.metal-machine.de/readerror/ it will tell you how much data you are using. it has counters too so you can reset the counter, have a 5 minute MSN, or whatever, and see how much data it uses. you could maybe have a fiddle with the quality settings too, see if reducing the quality settings a bit is worth while.

16-01-2009, 11:57	#3
paulj48 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1,096	You need to make sure you have a good 3G signal where your planing to use the webcam. I have a good 3G signal outside my house but when I go inside the signal and speed drops considerably. Have you though about the option of looking for a free wifi provider depending where you are? all McDonalds offer free Wifi and some pubs and coffe shops do also. Its worth a try before you commit to a contract.

16-01-2009, 18:45	#4
mpquikster Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 4	I have a 7gb one with 3. I surf the web for around an hour or 2 every day, download songs and have never come close to using my monthly allowance. Wish I'd have chosen a cheaper smaller option now...

16-01-2009, 18:48	#5
Babelicious Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 256	Quote: Originally Posted by mpquikster I have a 7gb one with 3. I surf the web for around an hour or 2 every day, download songs and have never come close to using my monthly allowance. Wish I'd have chosen a cheaper smaller option now... i normally get the 3gb with 3 and it lasts about 100hrs cos i just surf and go on msn.

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Question about Mobile Broadband