Dongle download limits

mb325

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Looking to get a USB broadband dongle to use on my laptop, anyone have any idea how many gb my monthly download size would be for say 10-15 days a week having IG advanced charts (puredeal etc.) up for 8+ hours a day?

Thanks in advance.
 
I've thought about this before as I was in the market. There's nothing conclusive but 1gb should get you about 20hrs surfing time. Not accounting for streaming such as youtube etc. To get a better idea try http://www.hootech.com/NetMeter/ the free version should do the job, you can set it up so you can see how much you upload/download over a certain time then you can figure it out from there.
 
from working with a friends laptop the dongle experience often reminds me of the old dial up. open a page then go make a cup of tea while it downloads.
 
Do you know if there was good reception, who the provider was and what the quoted speed was up to?

Reception in the area is a huge factor on the speed and it's important you check that you have good coverage in the places you intend to use it. I think I might be getting a PAYG one just as a backup, i'm not going to need it enough to justify a contract.
 
I have one at home and it's really terrible. Wouldn't go with that solution again. I think I have poor reception where I am and it makes a massive difference. Plus all the providers are lying b@stards when they quote line speeds. Think of that 3.6 mbps number as a maximum. Then manage your expectations down, as one poster already said, to old dialup modem type speeds and you'll be in the ballpark.

I certainly wouldn't get myself in a position where my trading depended on it. Maybe your experience will be better but I think mine is by no means atypical.

GJ
 
Who is your provider and have you checked your area coverage with them? I've heard the speeds are "up to" and you'll never get near it. But I was told if I get 3.6mbps i'd be getting close to about 2mbps which is fine for me.

I would certainly use it as a backup if my connection went. It has to be better than nothing and I don't really fancy using phones.
 
:LOL: What can you do? It says my area is 4 bars. If you need mobile broadband maybe check out some other providers and see what their coverage is like? You may just be in an area where T-mobile coverage isn't that great.
 
Oh I'm sure that could be part of it. But I've also read enough online to suggest that that's by no means the whole story. Bottom line is I won't be using T-Mobile for any services ever again. I have Vodafone for my mobile and it's fine. Download is quicker than the dongle. So the house reception can't be all that bad. But I can't have my phone being my backup option when I'm not at my desk. Can't figure out how to use it as a modem for a start, and even if I did, While it's fine and very quick for doing stuff that's optimised for mobile (even mobile TV etc), I think trying to use it as a modem to connect up my PC and log into Bloomberg Anywhere might be pushing my luck a bit.

GJ
 
Here's some information about using mobile phones as modems. I'm sure you could probably get more in-depth information how to do it, but without knowing which phone you have it's harder to comment.

It's very plausible Vodafone mobile broadband will be of different quality to the T-mobile so it may be worth a try.
 
I reckon I need a youtube to get me through it. I've read a few things like this before. All looks so simple, then I get home and try it and I end up swearing and cursing.

I'm reasonably tech-savvy but this sort of thing always seems to defeat me.

Thanks for the link though Masq - will try again.

GJ
 
Ok, NP.

It's pretty easy to find some youtube stuff - don't know how easy it will be to follow. Do you have bluetooth on your computer & phone or will you be trying it via cable?

I found this & this which may be of some help. Ignore the music in the first link. Good luck with it, should be a right headache knowing technology :LOL:
 
I have bluetooth, wifi and a USB cable. Had kinda assumed the cable would be the best AND simplest option but I couldn't get it to work.
 
I've got a Vodafone dongle as backup for home and for when away.

Works fine - Voda seems to have best coverage and a better press in user reports. My reception is 2 bars (indoors at home) and speed steady at 500kbps - not lightning but much better than dialup and perfectly useable. Have got much higher speeds on other places.

Doesn't work very well if moving eg in a train and positively dangerous if you're trying to drive on the M1 and use it at the same time!

I'm just coming to the end of a 1 year £15/month contract but will be going to the "buy a dongle" and just top up with 1GB download as required since that is all you need for emergency use.

The £15 / month contract allows 3GB download per month and is probably not quite adequate if you have real-time charts on the go all day and do some surfing.

Within its limitations it's a good piece of kit but very dependent on received signal quality. The only way is to try it - I think they still do it on "return if not satisfied basis".
 
I have bluetooth, wifi and a USB cable. Had kinda assumed the cable would be the best AND simplest option but I couldn't get it to work.

Try the bluetooth seeing as those videos refer to bluetooth..

As an aside, vodafone do a PAYG deal where you pay £35 and it comes with 1gb (top-ups are £15/gb) but the good thing about the deal is you don't need to top up every month and can just stash it in a drawer for a year and still be able to use it. That's the one i'm thinking about getting.
 
That's not a bad shout actually. So it's a £35 one off charge to buy the thing? I assume you also pay £15 to top up as well? So initial hit of £50?
 
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