Mobile Internet - Would you like HSDPA with that?

Yesterday I signed up with 3 Network for mobile internet connection. I have 2 choices, to either go wifi or hsdpa. Wifi are being serve by several companies reselling technologies from iBurst, ie spins, chilli & greetreefrogs. Spin and green tree frog have the best deal.

3 Network capitalises its towers across Australia and installed HSDPA technology. Down worry what it means, just check out what it can give you. 'Theoretically' Capable to fire up to 3.6Mbps but most real test show HSDPA connection usually enjoy above 1.5Mbps, a speed where wifi like iBurst can only boast "UP TO" speed. HSDPA at more than 1.5Mbps may not mean a lot to you but HSDPA is using the mobile phone network... yes your mobile phone line. The one that you use to to send sms and yap-all-you-can network.

Basically HSDPA is faster than 3G (again don't ask me why), as 3G is only a sneeze - up 384kbps. Mind you, it is faster than internet in some part of Malaysia. What happened to MSC (Multimedia Supercorridor) that suppose to launch KL as the 'next' silicon valley. Someone who worked for Dr Mahathir may have gravely mistaken Silicon Valley for Silicon Breast - just like the breast implant MSC became a fad in the past. Hangak2 tahih ayan (how do I translate this - ermm - like a warm chicken poo it gets cold quite swiftly - in other words one cannot stick to a resolution)

Anyway!!! Mobile Internet are not cater for P2P user. What is P2P? Those of you who love to download big file freebie like movie, games and applications. Mobile internet are meant for convenience and moderate usage.

Why I choose 3? First there is not ridiculous setup fee like the wifi company are charging that ranges from $120 to $150. Then I will need to purchase a mobile card to insert into my laptop in order to pick up its signal (for those you are still wondering, inbuilt intel centrino are meant only to pick up signal from home wireless not mobile internet), that would have cost another $250. 3 does not charge an arm and a leg for the card, you got the choice of either signing 12 months contract and pay $10 per month (which I opted), or signing 24 months where you will get the card for free that would have cost you $399 if you cost none of the above. That's it. No hanky panky setup fee. Feeeeeeeeeesssssssssss.... F*&k i hate fees. As long as there are fees, no matter how healthy is the competition, it is not to me. It is almost monopolitistc.

In fact write now I am writing this article from pub in Chinatown, whilst enjoying my first schonner of the night.

cheers

Comments

[Paul Habermann]

The thing about wifi is that it is beginning to become available for free, with the exception of behind the times Australia. Places like San Fran. (USA) are begining programs to make wifi available for free to the whole city. Furthermore, places in the UK are providing wifi for free to attract customers. So as in Australia you are using a paid hsdpa service from 3 at your local pub, in the UK you would be hooked up to a free wifi hotspot. Well, it's included in the price of the beer I guess. Furthermore, most laptops include wifi as standard, such as the entire Apple computer range, that can now run windows on it's intel chips. So for Australia, go hsdpa, for more progressive societies go wifi. And a 24 month contract, are you kidding me. Check the warranty on you 'free' hsdpa card and you will find that it is only for 12 months. Crazy.

[Author]

Paul - Free? Ahem! I think in some part of Malaysia, one able to enjoy free wifi connection in some cafe but I am not too sure. Comrades in malaysia could confirm that. US and UK has the population and fuel the competition, australia has less than 22mil, and big chuck of that are in sydney. No 'real' competition, no freebies. Hence the fees. So the next 'best' thing is 3. But hey you are absolutely spot on about the 24 mths contract. Shit no! And about apple... hmmm... maybe that is the reason why it is not free? :))