A mate of mine is thinking of switching his mobile to 3 (he needs a new one anyway), and getting their USB thingy for free.
He is currently on dialup with Iinet (they cant supply ADSL , even ADSL1 in Osborne Park WA)

Word of warming DON'T let your mate switch to Three.

As they have very poor customer service, me being charged a very large amount of $157 over 21 days for what they claim as excess download even those at one time I didn't have signals or coverage,Usage Calculator on the web site and the software that came with the modem giving wrong information, friends saying they have very bad phones and finally the call centre being in Bombay India.

And as Westnet head office is in Osborne Park, maybe your mate can try them?

What a lot of dribble
I'm using it and consistently getting 1500 - 1800kbps
2Gb for $49 with no upfront cost - nonone is near them.

govirgil writes...

Word of warming DON'T let your mate switch to Three.

Not my experience at all.. great speeds for a great price.. if he makes sure he disables roaming he'll not get these's excess charges..

I had iBurst before and it was slow and dearer with less download allowance than the Three broadband I have now..

three as a phone service is excellent.

three as a mobile broadband service via USB modem is excellent.

but obviously - it depends on your reception - if it is good, then three is good.

I used Three Broadband on the 1GB plan for a number of months before switching to Virgin and was very pleased with its performance and the service from Three. The only reason I switched was to get the Home phone in Virgin's Broadband@Home plan.

In the time that I used it, three computers were sharing the connection for normal email and browsing and we never went over the 1GB limit.

Upload counts as well as download so any peer-to-peer activity would impact on the total useage. I also reiterate that roaming should be disabled. It was disabled by default with my PC Express card modem.

My first hand experience and the experience of people I know which is not a lot of dribble, including around $90 for what Three claim as download excess over 3 days for me which was not because of roaming, as it was in Brisbane Inner City which has very good reception.

The following warning still applies:

Word of warming DON'T let your mate switch to Three.

As they have very poor customer service, me being charged a very large amount of $157 over 21 days for what they claim as excess download even those at one time I didn't have signals or coverage,Usage Calculator on the web site and the software that came with the modem giving wrong information, friends saying they have very bad phones and finally the call centre being in Bombay India.

And vo before you replied with "2Gb for $49 with no upfront cost - nonone is near them" did you check or is this comment just dribble?

Also red who is this he?

"if he makes sure he disables roaming he'll not get these's excess charges.."?

As if you read my comment it was me and not a he or someone else who I was talking about.

I have the 3 USB modem as a backup to my VB box and it is rock solid and faster. Work pays, but i checked and so far no additional charges.

Coverage is better also, as they share the Telstra network.

If they made the device with an ethernet port I would hook up a VOIP box and maybe ditch the VBB box.

govirgil writes...

Also red who is this he?

"if he makes sure he disables roaming he'll not get these's excess charges.."?

As if you read my comment it was me and not a he or someone else who I was talking about.

it was a piece of advice obviously aimed at the OP's friend, based on your comment.. a little clearer than what you wrote there..

govirgil writes...

My first hand experience and the experience of people I know which is not a lot of dribble

as your asking people to check their comments.. maybe you could tell us how many of these "people" you know have had issues.. seems in this thread your the only one who has had major issues with the service..

3 MobileBroadband is fantastic. I get upto about 1.5Mbit in the Melbourne and Sydney CBD's and usually upto 600kbps even in outer Sydney suburbs.

The online usage meter sucks (has a 24hour lag) but as long as you keep that in mind you should be fine. You can also lock it to 3G ONLY so it will not roam onto the Telstra network AFAIK.

The interesting thing is uploads seem quite good too, I get up to about 350kbps which is nice, especially for the price.

in response to:

"Word of warming DON'T let your mate switch to Three."

as a user of the three network for 6 weeks i can only say i'm delighted with the service in metro melbourne. i've got a pcmcia connection which works fine. i think the usb connection works in pretty much the same way.

the onboard software meter works perfectly as far as i can tell and you can check out the total monthly usage via the My3 website.

of various wireless isps i checked out, Three offers the best deal and i've had no problems.

treeuser writes...

the onboard software meter works perfectly as far as i can tell and you can check out the total monthly usage via the My3 website.

It must be remembered that the Mobilink software only measures and reports the usage of the current connection. If the modem is set to connect on-demand then you would need to add up all the reported usages from each connection.

I had no problems with the usage on the website showing any unexpected usage and would recommend Three mobile broadband to anyone who is in the Three coverage area - but definitely not for roaming.

3 boardband AUD4 per MB
----------------------------------­ ----------------------------------­ ------------
Last month i had signed up a plan of mobile boardband from 3. The plan is $40 per month for 2 G of ussage. The plan end on 17th September 2007. Yesterday (21st Sept), my account show that i had used up to AUD$1700 since 13th Sept 2007. After i comfirm my spending with 3's operator, i was told that AUD1600++ of the total amount is charge on internet usage over the 2G. 400 MB over used so i was charged for AUD1600, which is AUD4 per MB. This rate is extreamly unreasonable. Please advice me how should i do.

candle writes...

3 boardband AUD4 per MB

This doesnt sound right. Perhaps you were in roaming. But then thats $1.65 per MB.

The web site says this ---->

PLANS
What happens if I go over my broadband data allowance?
If you go over your broadband allowance, you can still access the internet at broadband speeds, however you will be charged 10c per MB of usage.

Extra usage in the Broadband Zone above your allowance is only 10c per MB.

www.threemobilebroadband...ml#overallowance

Its in the FAQ's on their web page.

You may need to contact Customer Service or Tech Support to clarify.

It won't be roaming because i never activate / enable roaming service and this does show in my account as disable roaming.
I had contact customer service, they said the 10c per mb of usage only apply if i excess the usage before within the plan period. Since i only sign up for one months (17th August 2007 to 17th September 2007), the 400 MB is incurred after the period (from 17th september onward) , so i was charged at AUD4 per MB. I gonna faint d....

govirgil writes...

me being charged a very large amount of $157 over 21 days for what they claim as excess download

three charge for download and upload

And vo before you replied with "2Gb for $49 with no upfront cost - nonone is near them" did you check or is this comment just dribble?

Yes its a fact - as uncomfortable as you obviously find it

he makes sure he disables roaming he'll not get these's excess charges.."?

Yes Red is correct and again knows a bit more than you do obviously

Vo shouldn't you find and provided the facts that "2Gb for $49 with no upfront cost - nonone is near them", as your dribble are not facts?

Unless you are uncomfortable in finding out the truth, that your claims about Three are in fact false?

So I guess from this Vo your claims like "Yes Red is correct and again knows a bit more than you do obviously" is false also?

And yes Three charges for "download and upload" but $157 for excess fees over 21 days?

Red I can see why you are not willing to answer anymore, as you cannot face up to the truth that others are having problems with Three?

Now if some don't mind I got better things to do, then read people whining because they only read part of my comments, cannot back up claims "2Gb for $49 with no upfront cost - nonone is near them" with evidence and cannot face up to reality that people should stay away from Three.

Viczed the meter that came with the modem does really suck, as said I used I think around in total 20GB and yet the online meter said I use a lot less then less.

And when I asked about how much excess I downloaded, I was told due to Privacy they cannot tell me even those it was own account and they also couldn't tell
what Privacy Act.

PS Happy with Three, Happy with many problems including Call Centre being overseas?

candle The TIO or Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman has a link about excess charges:

www.tio.com.au/POLICIES/...ad%20charges.htm

govirgil writes...

Vo shouldn't you find and provided the facts that "2Gb for $49 with no upfront cost - nonone is near them", as your dribble are not facts?

Govirgil and look at the website

yes Three charges for "download and upload" but $157 for excess fees over 21 days?

Yes probably if you're stupid enough to use it outside the Broadband Zone at $1.65Mb. Or perhaps your modem has been altered to Automatic rather than UMTS causing it to roam at the high rate. It comes set to UMTS which means it won't roam.

Happy with Three, Happy with a Call Centre being overseas?

Yes very happy thank you.

Get educated before dribbling rubbish on WP

Vo why should I look at Three web site, as you claim OTHERS is "nonone is near them" so why don't you put up the evidence from OTHER Mobile Broadband to prove no one is near Three?

Otherwise everyone including yourself, can see you are very happy in providing evidence in public, that you dribble rubbish (read false claims) without evidence.

Also perhaps you should learn to read other people comments before replying, as I mentioned excess fee, you mentioned outside The Broadband Zone, which if you must know if you read my comments before replying I didn't use it outside the Zone, as I couldn't get any signal.

So vo get an education in you need evidence for your claims and that you need to read other people comments before replying.

Word of warming bear DON'T let your mate switch to Three.

As they have very poor customer service, me being charged a very large amount of $157 over 21 days for what they claim as excess download even those at one time I didn't have signals or coverage,Usage Calculator on the web site and the software that came with the modem giving wrong information, friends saying they have very bad phones and finally the call centre being in Bombay India.

I have recently signed up on a 3 business package.

Very very happy so far.

Great speeds and great value.

Kieran

govirgil writes...

And in not providing evidence, I guess vo is dribbling with his false claims "2Gb for $49 with no upfront cost - nonone is near them"?

Optus --- $99 up front - and $129.95 per 2gb (can't be bothered looking for the speed.)

personal.optus.com.au/we...ss&site=personal

Bigpond - Mobile wireless $299 up front - (550kps-1.5mbps) 1gb $114.95 OR 3gb $184.95.

my.bigpond.com/internetp...fers/default.jsp

Near enough??? And as the 3 guy told me when i showed him the optus wireless offer I picked up from my phone shop after doing MY homework, Ï could go over my 2gb and still probably not hit what they are charging pm.

govirgil writes...

Viczed the meter that came with the modem does really suck, as said I used I think around in total 20GB and yet the online meter said I use a lot less then less.

$167 for nearly 20GB?? sweet!!! for $130 with optus u coulda got 2gb.

And when I asked about how much excess I downloaded, I was told due to Privacy they cannot tell me even those it was own account and they also couldn't tell
what Privacy Act.

There are ways around the communication break down. The downloads/uploads appear as a daily total on your 3 bill. The traffic is broken down for you. Admittedly it doesnt give you a specific time or location just a date and usage amount.

By the way, there is only one Privacy Act. However, there are different parts within that Act to cover us the consumer within different areas. Quite basically, companies or government departments cant blither about our personal or credit information.

www.privacy.gov.au/act/index.html

I have had the 3 Express card for two days now and have not had any problems, allthough it is early days... i do not expect to have any either. Have fourteen days to decide to keep it or not.

$29 plan for 1GB. Took this plan to see how my usage will look like after a while.

Telescum was WAY over priced for the card as well as the price of their plans.
They have lost a customer for the next two years. Am also thinking of switching over my mobile to 3 as well.

I have had the USB modem for 4 weeks now. I am very happy with 3.
I wanted a wireless network and no fixed phone line and it performs admirably. Having just been burned (no make that scalded) by WildIT/GoTalk/iBurst a fast reliable service is fantastic.
Yes you have to be aware of what zone you are in.
Yes the upload is included in bandwidth.
The online account usage works fine, to keep an eye on useage and limits.
I can even use Skype again, which was totally useless on iBurst, even when it was working.
I too am on the $29 plan, it suits my needs for surfing and e-mail. Some left over this month to download a big file or 3.
I recommend it.

I too recommend it. I've had it for about a month, though I've had about 5 nights when it has gone slow in the 2nd week, it seems to be solid now.

I'm a heavy user but couldn't get any dsl or cable at my new house, the 5gb plan is by far the best option I have atm (postcode 2767 in Western Sydney)

govirgil writes...

Red I can see why you are not willing to answer anymore, as you cannot face up to the truth that others are having problems with Three?

oh pleeeeaaasseee answer what? there was no post between yours and mine to answer..

again for those of us who seem to have a reading problem - look through the thread.. there is you and a guy who seems to have signed up for one month and then got excess usage.. verses a lot of other people who seem relatively content with the service.. content enough to offer advice about minimising any risks of excess charges, but still reccommending the service..

Now if some don't mind I got better things to do, then read people whining because they only read part of my comments, cannot back up claims "2Gb for $49 with no upfront cost - nonone is near them" with evidence and cannot face up to reality that people should stay away from Three.

it seems your the only one whining - and the comparisons have now been provided by Charlotte, where is your reply to that? oh and while your after VO re use of the word "others" I am still yet to see you back your "others" claim up..

candle writes...

Last month i had signed up a plan of mobile boardband from 3. The plan is $40 per month for 2 G of ussage. The plan end on 17th September 2007. .....

.... which is AUD4 per MB. This rate is extreamly unreasonable. Please advice me how should i do

Are you sure that the plan was with Three. They do not have a $40 plan.

Hi,

I've been using 3 for the last 6 months now, and I'm pretty happy with it.

I'm using the PCI Express card, not the USB modem, and I signed on for the $49 (+$10 equipment subsidy) for 1 GB plan. After the price drop a few months back, they automatically upgraded me to 2GB for no extra charge.

I'm a pretty light user, averaging about 700 Mb per month downloads, so 3 is perfect for me. It's fast enough for my purposes.

When I signed up, I still had ADSL1 and held onto that as a backup. After about 1 month of having both services, I cancelled my ADSL1 and my land line.

Since then, it's been pretty reliable. Approximately about 2-3 times over the last 6 months, I've had occasions where I couldn't connect for some reason, but by the next morning it's back up.

Sometimes in the middle of a surfing session, my connections just drops out inexplicably, but I just unplug the card and replug it back in and that has always fixed it (except for the 2-3 times mentioned above).

I'm based in Melbourne, but I've been interstate to Perth and Brisbane, and the service coverage has not been noticeably different.

Since my experience has been with the datacard instead of the USB modem, your scenario may differ. Otherwise, I'm pretty happy with it, and I'll be even happier when my contract expires next April and I can go down to the $29/1GB plan and not have to pay anymore equipment subsidies.

Beng Tan

ThinkLeft
thinkleft.com

Hi Ben,
Before I signed up, I done the online usage calculator and it said with my hours online, per month I would use around 256MB.

Which works out to be false, as Three claims I used in what 24 days close to 2GB.

So that is the other problems apart from poor customer service, is false information.

Red, me expressing an opinion is not whining as you wrongly claim again.

And do you have trouble with reading comments and accepting the truth?

As there are in fact others who problems with Three.

But then again why is it you can take your time to reply or you don't have reply to others, but others have to reply to others especially straight away?

So once again, since you have a reading problem:

Now if you don't mind I got better things to do then listening to you Red whining because you cannot handle the truth.

xXxCharlottexXx...yes I did do my homework before signing up, by using Three Useage calculator and it said I would be using around 256MB per month for 5 hours per day.

And are Optus and Bigpond the only two for wireless?

But I am wondering why Vol didn't put up the answer, as they claimed no one is close to Three?

Maybe their claim is false?

And with the comments here, yes I got ripped off by Three regarding excess download, as now they are saying I owed the monthly fee plus excess download fee.

Even those they have a thing for $99 per month and you get $500, which Three Staff seem to didn't to know about.

Also I email the www.privacy.gov.au/act/index.html and instead of getting a simple answer, they gave the complete act and told me in one word or another write to The TIO.

PS It seems some Three customers are happy with Three Call Centre being overseas?

govirgil writes...

xXxCharlottexXx...yes I did do my homework before signing up, by using Three Useage calculator and it said I would be using around 256MB per month for 5 hours per day.

256mb per month? Don't know what usage calculator you are talking about. But I would only assume it to be an estimate, thats where their out clause is. Even if you just trolled web pages you would blow 256mb per month. To get to 20gig my friend you musta done some serious downloading. Where did you get yours from? I know I talked with the guy i bought mine from, had a good discussion with him about downloads etc before I signed the dotted line.

No optus and Bigpond aren't the only ones. Mannnn i gotta do more work for you?

Vodafone --- 2GB $79.95(desktop use only for 12/24 mnth contract) OR $139.95 pm

www.vodafone.com.au/Busi...itcost/index.htm

Ok... thats three of them for you. Even my insurance will pay out after only getting 2 other quotes. Trust ME when I say.... NOONE is as close as 3 is!!!!!!

And i think Vol was busy. Besides... i type quicker than he does!!! :)

I don't know bout any $99 thingy. Not getting you on that one.

I'm sorry I don't understand the privacy act with regards to your downloads. You can access your own account online and see from your past bill online the downloads on each particular day. Your current month will only give you the amount remaining before you reach your limit.

As for the barb on the Call Centre being overseas. Well thats where it is. Makes no difference to me. If I have an issue or i need to discuss my account I will do so. One just adapts to the change. I just make sure I am clear, that I explain the situation carefully, listen carefully and be patient. I will be honest, I am not a patient person at all, but ya know... sometimes ya gotta learn new things!!! :)

Really in all honesty, if you think that its completely wrong, lodge a complaint with the TIO. They are pretty good people there and they will listen and forward you to the correct people for a reasonable solution.

Just got connected yesterday and all I can say is that it works great.

Setup is easy, as long as you are patient, with windows. No disk required for Vista 32bit (I was told 64bit Vista required updated drivers).

Got the USB Modem included for an extra $10 a month over 12 months ($39 a month for twelve months includes 1GB a month).

Things you need to know before buying:

Plans are not shaped. If you have not used broadband before then you really need to be careful and check your usage. There is a default meter that shows the current session usage and, apparently, you can log on to your account and see your usage (The FAQ's cautions that this can be 48 hours out of date!)

Roaming. By default I found that Roaming is turned off. Roaming means you are outside of the 3 network and if you connect you will be charged like a wounded Bull ($1650.00 per GB :-O )So I’m leaving Roaming turned off. Check the coverage maps for where you will be using it and if it is not in a 3 area don’t buy it. I asked in the shop and they brought up some maps showing coverage for the address's I gave. You can also tell by the colour of the modem light if you are Roaming or in a 3 area, Blue is good!

Usage is metered both ways so if you are use to being metered for downloading only then take this into account when choosing your plan.

If I couldn’t get ADSL or cable then I would use 3 for a home connection for web browsing, E-Mail, windows and game patches etc but to download things such as demo games or games through Steam etc could easily blow that limit and the cost is $100.00 per GB.

For what I use it for (Mostly Browsing and E-mail) I couldn’t be happier.

Hi,

Re: 3 Mobile Broadband wireless any good?

I signed up for 3 Mobile Broadband last month, so far it's great. Their are a few things that could be better (data usage meter etc), but I'm confident this will come in due time.

As for the offshore call centres, they are very polite and try to assist as much as possible, even thought sometimes they might not know everything you ask, but then again you would find the same if the call centres are in Australia.

I also did extensive research before signing up, I personally think 3 is the best deal around for my usage pattern and for HSDPA technology.

Cheers.

Red that is the trouble with some, they claim others has problems with English, when they should be fixing up their own mistakes first.

As it is English Language, not "english language".

LOL LOL

And saying my posts has bad English mistakes and is extremely hard to make any sense of after all this time, is the normal reponse from someone who is too weak to admit they haven't got answers, too weak to debate the issue and too weak to admit they cannot face the truth especially that yes people do have problems with Three

So from the English mistakes I pointed out in your comments, maybe you should get yourself an dictionary red?

PS Don't bother replying, as every time you do you make yourself look bad.

govirgil writes...

If you went to Three.com.au and clicked on the mobile broadband picture and then clicked on the Usage Calculator link in the menu links, you would see what usage calculator I am are talking about.

Well yeah i could have gone looking for it. But I went over my calculated usage with a real person in a 3 shop. Sorry, but i still dont understand how you can go from such a small amount per month to going over by 20gig and not know.

Also if you mean the Software calculator with the question "Where did you get yours from?"

Nope, I meant how did you purchase your 3 device.

I wasn't the one who claimed no one is near Three. (insert)

No but you called it blither or sumthing and wanted proof.

But you also forgot Virgin Broadband and Iburst. (In sert)

I have Virgin BB @ home, didnt think of any wireless capabilities for them to be honest. And iburst doesnt have the range. Can't get it here so I didnt think of them.

Also other work I have to do for you, is in dealing TIO like I have, I can tell in reality because TIO is a Industy Body set up by The Industy, it seems you don't get much help. (Insert)

I have dealt with the TIO before. You are completely wrong, they are not set up by the Industry.

Established in 1993 by the Australian Federal Government, the TIO is independent of industry, the government and consumer organisations.
www.tio.com.au/about_tio.htm

The TIO give you the number of the person in the company that deals with the escalation of a complaint. You then deal with them. They have 10 days to look at the issue you have raised and then give you an outcome. Should THEN you not be satisfied you can then return to the TIO.

By the way I understood about what you had said about the Privacy Act, i was tryin to give you a work around to not being able to get the answers you wanted from three.

Accepting reality? Ok! I had read your comments and was trying to tell you some answers to what you had asked. Perhaps my jovial manner wasnt to your liking. In future I will make note not to answer your questions and i take it that you will permit me the same.

Regards

Edit: My text was showing as inserted quotes.

govirgil writes...

But you also forgot Virgin Broadband and Iburst.

Three Mobile Broadband = $29 for 1GB/month
Virgin Mobile Broadband = $80 for 1GB/month at half the speed

IBurst website came up with flash content that I could not display.

Yesterday I signed up $29 plan. I connected it last night and I left it connected but not download anything. However the software showed that I had been used 3 Gigabytes. Any suggestion?

govirgil writes...

Now back to Three, as Red proves with The English comments and claiming my comments doesn't make sense after all this time, proves he is a winner at being a sore loser.

what happened to "i'm not coming back".. oppps I bothered to reply

Sir Li Kashing writes...

Yesterday I signed up $29 plan. I connected it last night and I left it connected but not download anything. However the software showed that I had been used 3 Gigabytes. Any suggestion?

1) Run NetMeter on your PC to monitor network traffic.

2) Check your firewall log to see what applications are using your network connection and, if possible the amount of traffic used per application.

dam three!! I cannot believe they don't have a warning system if you go over your usage...there stupid webpage gets updated every 48 hours and i have been slogged for a $51 bill for 3 days worth of usage....thought i had plenty of mb left when I actually didn't....

Has anyone ever got out of these fee's?? I'm very very pissed off right now

I spoke to them and they said I have to pay the fee's and the only way to not go over is to get a $99 plan for 5G

Red what happened to debating the Three Issue and instead claiming someone has problems with English, when you clearly have problems of your own to deal with first?

Such as your problems with English and accepting people do have problems with Three.

And The Flying Dodo you forgot to add that Virgin also includes a Mobile Phone and that the speed with Virgin Broadband Area (Optus) is 3G (HSDPA).

Isn't that what Three uses and so is Virgin really half the speed of Three?

In other words provided the full picture, not just part of it, thanks.

the excess download's are an absolute joke!!

I get charged $51.40 in 3 days (more than my monthly fee)...i check my usage 3 days prior i have 70 meg left???????????????? how can this possibly be?

They said 48 hours to update the webpage more like 72 hours...

The calculator that came with the card is also pathetic...its dosent even give u a total usage let alone an accurate one.....

I just gave them a spray and I dont think the guy even understood what i was saying...stupid guy just told me to upgrade my account to $99 and I wont have the problem.....great answer #$%wit

If only they could have throttling like most ISP's these days

*sigh*

Just wait stuzi...you might go up to $157 in around 21 days like me.

Even those they have $99 per month for $500 worth of useage, that some Three Staff don't even known about it.

Also The calculator that came with the card/modem claimed I use 20GB, even those Three Staff said don't believe it.

Three selling something that its own staff said not to be believe?

Great sales training?

PS See reality Red?

Others do have problems with Three.

I think the problem for you is that you think the $500 includes internet....the plan your on actually doesnt include it and $500 is actually on calls and messages....which is so stupid because you would have to transfer sim from card to phone all the time.....

govirgil writes...

And The Flying Dodo you forgot to add that Virgin also includes a Mobile Phone and that the speed with Virgin Broadband Area (Optus) is 3G (HSDPA).

Isn't that what Three uses and so is Virgin really half the speed of Three?

Why do I need another mobile phone? I already have two. One is prepaid costing $15 for 6 months and the other on a $10 per month plan.

And yes, Three Wireless Broadband is twice as fast as Virgin Wireless Broadband.

Speed tests on Three gave maximum download speeds of around 1.4Mb/s while Virgin advertises theirs at 512kb/s although the speed is actually capped at 700kb/s.

You will find these speed figures confirmed on various threads on the forum.

The problem is stuzi unlike Virgin Mobile Broadband is there is no mentioned even in small print that $500 doesn't include Internet.

But you are right it is stupid and a pain to transfer sim from card to phone all the time.....

The Flying Dodo..did I say you needed a another mobile?

You choose to give only gave part of the picture regarding Virgin, so I done your homework for you by giving the full picture by mentioning Virgin $80 packages includes a Mobile.

And if you actually read Virgin Web site you would see Virgin saying 3G connection?

So Virgin using the same connection as Three means Three is fast as Virgin?

Before you reply,please read comments before replying and to give the full picture and not part of the picture.

The Flying Dodo writes...

And yes, Three Wireless Broadband is twice as fast as Virgin Wireless Broadband.

The only problem with Three Mobile Broadband is that they charge excess rather than capping the speed when the quota is exceeded and also charge exhorbitant Telstra rates when roaming..

Although I never exceeded my quota or roamed when I was on Three Mobile Broadband, I chose to purchase my own modem rather than be locked into a contract so that I could get out quickly if a product came along that suited my requirements more.

Virgin Broadband@Home did that for me because we did not have a home phone.

govirgil writes...

And if you actually read Virgin Web site you would see Virgin saying 3G connection?

So Virgin using the same connection as Three means Three is fast as Virgin?

And if you actually read Virgin's website (www.virginbroadband.com....0-questions.aspx) you would see that:

Virgin Broadband connections are usually 512kbps, throttled down to 128kbps (twice the speed of many others in these cases) if you exceed the generous monthly data usage allowance.

govirgil writes...

And if you actually read Virgin Web site you would see Virgin saying 3G connection?

So Virgin using the same connection as Three means Three is fast as Virgin?

As a previous user of Three broadband and now a user of Virgin's Broadband@Home service I can confirm that Virgin's Broadband@Home is only half the speed of Three's broadband service. I would expect that the Virgin's Mobile Broadband would be using the same speed limited service. While both use 3G or 3.5G technology, Virgin is connected to Optus' network and Three is connected to its own network with roaming through Telstra so there should be no expectation that either would necessarily use the full speed capability of HSDPA.

^{edit: spelling}

My only word of caution is if you are using the modem in areas which cannot get DSL. As most households will opt for an HSDPA device to get the internet and there can be times of congestion in the evenings. This is just the nature of the situation and technology in many newer estates.
I personally had a few issues with Level 1 and 2 technical support which were my experiences and operators repeating the same scripted response time and time again to no avail. I personally find that annoying.

However, after exploring different options to solve my poor speed with Three (modem swaps etc) they allowed me to exit contract as long as I returned the modem and packaging.

I unfortunetly (even with HSDPA) would often drop to 40/40k speeds which rendered the package useless to me. Pity, Three offer good value on the quota.

Again, this was my experience in a certain location (post code 3030), a newer estate with very few DSL ports. When I went into the Melbourne CBD I rarely had an issue.

The special which was too stop at end of Sept has been part stopped.
Still get Half price for 6 months if you have a phone or get one On the $49 and $69 plans.
But can't now go down to the $29 plan after 6 months.
Also USB Modem on 24mths is now $5 mthly not $0.

from all reports very successful promo.

Dodo are you sure you actually read Virgin Website yourself?

Because if you did you would have mentioned Virgin, also includes a Mobile.

Also long before you done it, I did in fact check Virgin Broadband, to see unlike Three who charges excess download fees Virgin do throttled down to 128kbps.

But if people like you, are happy paying excess download fee rather then getting your speed throttled down to 128kbps.

That is your problem not mine.

And the following question has not been answered, is it because you cannot accept another truth, in that I did not say you need another mobile?

The Flying Dodo..did I say you needed a another mobile?

PS
Virgin 3G and HSDPA
Three 3G and HSDPA

Ok they are not the same hey Dodo?

govirgil writes...

Virgin 3G and HSDPA
Three 3G and HSDPA

Ok they are not the same hey Dodo?

They are the same technology but not implemented at the same speed. If you cannot read what others have said, comparing the speed of Three with Virgin, then there is no point in arguing with you any more.

You are wrong! Goodbye!

seems govirgil has decided to whim me his mental rants, at least 3 a day for the last 3 days.. does anyone know how I forward them to a moderator, or block him

Redmond writes...

does anyone know how I forward them to a moderator, or block him

index.cfm?a=wiki&tag=WP_ModContact

Thanks Dodo I found it and got a reply - he's on ignore now.

The Flying Dodo writes...

They are the same technology but not implemented at the same speed. If you cannot read what others have said, comparing the speed of Three with Virgin, then there is no point in arguing with you any more.

As a previous user of Three and a current user of Virgin (BB@Home), I can again confirm that Three is twice as fast as Virgin.

You are wrong! Goodbye!

Agreed!

stuzi writes...

$500 is actually on calls and messages....which is so stupid because you would have to transfer sim from card to phone all the time.....

It would seem a bit odd.. but I think they just add it as a bonus - the plans are not usually advertised with a phone component - all I've seen mentions wireless broadband.. it is actually not a bad deal.. I went and got a Dopod 810 and now use it as a modem on my laptop and then keep it with me so I have net access where ever I go.. plus a phone..

If I didn't already have a phone from work I'd probably just use it for all my calls.. phone and net in one device..

I've just joined and bought a phone its fantastic $24.50 for 2Gb's for 6months and then $49.
Voip has that right no one is near them, Thank you V.

govirgil writes...

But if people like you, are happy paying excess download fee rather then getting your speed throttled down to 128kbps.

That is your problem not mine.

Wait, why is this a problem? I'd much rather pay excess with better speeds then have slower speeds and throttled after the limit. I'm happy with paying excess, because I know how to monitor my download limit.

But if people like you are happy not monitoring their usage correctly and blaming the company instead, that is your problem not mine.

Okuni writes...

I'd much rather pay excess with better speeds then have slower speeds and throttled after the limit. I'm happy with paying excess, because I know how to monitor my download limit.

Roaming is the real problem and should be avoided as much as possible.

cyberknutt writes...

Roaming is the real problem and should be avoided as much as possible.

Agreed, which is why I have it set to 3G only. I believe the USB modem comes with this setting as default.

Anyway, I think the OP should just try it and see how well the coverage is in the area, they do offer a refund after all (14 days I believe).

the problem is background downloaders like blizzard on the last day of the month downloading 100mb of data without even asking...then if you happen to cancel the download half-way it downloads from that start again.

I suppose when I look at it its not really three's fault....but i still think they should send out an email or something to alert when you have reached max and i think 48hour usage update is pathetic!! Or just get a usage meter in the software that is close to 100% accurate....the one that comes with the netcard is pathetic and dosent even allow for total usage tracking....

fair call?

stuzi writes...

Or just get a usage meter in the software that is close to 100% accurate....

Try NetMeter - www.metal-machine.de/readerror

ok ill try it out

I downloaded the Netmeter previously mentioned. Its shows about 10% of the usage that the 3 software says I have downloaded.

3 is super fast and realible but yes I really dont have much idea of why its says Im downloading so much. Their website usage page seems to think Im downloading a lot as well - yet the netmeter registers nothing.

Okuni,
How can people be monitoring their usage correctly, when The Meter Software Three supplied with The Modem and download details at My3 is not even correct?

Also the reason I signed up with Three, was based on Three Online Calculator telling me what I would download of around 256MB.

So I guess you are happy to reply without checking facts first?

PS You are happy paying excess even those it could be like mine at $157 for around 25 days?

Clap Clap

PS Three ofters a refund, please point out the link on Three Web Site?

govirgil writes...

Also the reason I signed up with Three, was based on Three Online Calculator telling me what I would download of around 256MB.

So I guess you are happy to reply without checking facts first?

Fact: My software and website usage has never been incorrect, I have never paid excess usage that I didn't know I downloaded. Is that good enough for you?

The usage calculator you are talking about is an estimate only, it's pretty much just there for people who don't know what they're doing and have absolutely no idea what plan to get. I don't know why you would be basing your actual downloads on that, I could for example only get 10 emails a day but they could all be 20MB emails. If you are using more then obviously you'd upgrade your account.

Anyway, all I can say is I'm happy with the 3 USB modem and that's all there is to it.

Okuni writes...

Fact: My software and website usage has never been incorrect, I have never paid excess usage that I didn't know I downloaded. Is that good enough for you?

I am the same - never had any downloads I couldn't explain.. speeds have been great..

oh and govirgil i'm not unblocking you as debates are one thing - personal attacks another..

govirgil writes...

How can people be monitoring their usage correctly, when The Meter Software Three supplied with The Modem and download details at My3 is not even correct?

Does the usage meter for the USB modem keep an aggregate total or just the total for the session? My ExpressCard software only gave the session total.

Also, do you have it connecting on demand or manual connect?

While I did not write down all the session totals to check the overall total with the website count, I also never had an excess or unexpectedly high totals.

I was quite satisfied with the Three Wireless Internet.

cyberknutt writes...

Does the usage meter for the USB modem keep an aggregate total or just the total for the session?

The USB modem software tracks both an aggregate and session total, well mine does anyway.

Sorry guys, just searching "three mobile broadband voip" to see if anyone has tested using voip services using three mobile broadband, I came upon this thread where I have seen govirgil talk absolute crap and even register a new WP account just to try to justify his point of crap.

Obviously the bloke has something against three - maybe a former disgruntled employee?

Govirgil: with your lack of knowledge of proper english grammer, it was easy to distinguish candle from a regular WP user replying in this thread.

In answer to you wanting info on how three compares to other carriers.

I travel to and from the Gold Coast alot for work, and the company I work for is a vodafone customer. Whenever I go away, I ring our business manager at Voda to get a loan USB modem (the same modem that is used for the three service)

We pay $49.95 to voda for 300mb data.

Now - I sometimes travel to regional areas and unfortunately Next G is an only choice anywhere outside of the major cities. We own a Next G turbo USB modem and when I use this, I pay $59 for 200mb - but speeds just as fast as using voda in the city.

Last two times I was in the Gold Coast, vodafone had network outages and only had GPRS networks running. It peeved me off so much that I walked into a 3 shop at Broadbeach, signed up on a 12 month contract and got the following:

$29 per month for 1gb data
$10 per month over 12 months for the USB modem ($120 at end of contract period).

Now: the reason we don't just purchase a modem from vodafone is because they charge $349 for the modem, the same modem that 3 uses.

The Telstra turbo modem cost us $500!! but we had no choice - we don't have a business relationship with them to take advantage of like we do with "borrowing" the usb modem from voda.

But I'll tell u what: the 3 USB modem came pre-set not to roam, It worked in the cab from Coolangatta to Labrador. And then it worked in a train from the Gold Coast to Brisbane without even dropping out and passing through a roaming area.

The speed: way faster than Vodafone, I was downloading email attachments at 129kb/s from an exchange server on an ADSL 1 connection while on a MOVING TRAIN

3 is by far the best value - especially for use in major cities. Excess usage is 10c/mb (this is also listed on their website).

Usage outside of 3's "broadband zone" which is when it roams onto the Telstra network is charged at $1.65/mb this is the ONLY WAY to be charged ludacris amounts for any kind of 'excess usage'.
- this couldn't be too common anyway because the modems are default set not to roam, so you'd have to be stupid enough to actually activate roaming before facing stupid bills.

As for vodafone - we don't even use them for mobile broadband anymore because the 3 service is so much better and - I was online 25 minutes after walking into the 3 shop. Customer service was excellent in the shop, and excellent again on the phone when switching the contract out of my personal name to the company's name when I returned to Sydney. Could u imagine Telstra CS reps actually trying to understand what you were trying to do? forget about it.

As for regional areas, the only choice you actually have for high speed mobile broadband is Telstra, too bad their modems are very overpriced for the average personal customer to justify spending and the data usage is very very overpriced. I feel sorry for the people living in rural areas who actually have no choice day in day out who HAVE to use Telstra. At least we only HAVE to when we're going to be out in those areas and it's usually not for any more than a few days thank God.

Covegril: it looks like the only person with no "proof" or "evidence" of their arguments is yourself: do yourself a favor and don't reply anymore.

So the moral of the story is 3 has good speeds and no problems with coverage but be careful with usage and roaming...I'm going to pay my bill but im going to ask for them (friendly) to reconsider the 48 hour update usage meter. World of Warcraft users be careful about the hidden download feature as i traced back my $60 excess to a background downloader which tried to download a 74mb file 6 times before it eventualy completed. Why in hell would it not have a way to start where it left off I will never know!!!

and p.s Nate u will drop out from Coomera to Ormeau Stations with 3 I ride the same route everyday

stuzi writes...

So the moral of the story is 3 has good speeds and no problems with coverage but be careful with usage and roaming...I'm going to pay my bill but im going to ask for them (friendly) to reconsider the 48 hour update usage meter.

I use NetMeter to monitor network traffic. It can sit on your desktop - semi-transparent - and you can set it so that you can work through it. You can click on the window beneath it.

You get it at www.metal-machine.de/readerror/index.php

ill give it a go man....from what people say its not accurate but ill trust you on this one

stuzi writes...

from what people say its not accurate

I have not actually checked its accuracy, but it is certainly accurate enough to detect the type of additional download that you are looking for. You can also have it alert you when a monthly quota is exceeded. This could be set to perhaps 80%.

Its big feature is the continuous display which will immediately show you any activity that might be unexpected.

thanks mate sounds like a good program

stuzi writes...

World of Warcraft users be careful about the hidden download feature as i traced back my $60 excess to a background downloader which tried to download a 74mb file 6 times before it eventualy completed. Why in hell would it not have a way to start where it left off I will never know!!!

Yeah their background downloader is pretty dodgy, but you can configure how it downloads. I have it set to download only when WoW closes so I just check if it opens when I exit WoW.

I have been with 3 for over a month now and found it to be very good!!

Still only one person in this whole thread that has a problem with the service, that has gotta say something!

eime writes...

only one person in this whole thread that has a problem with the service

Obviously works for the opposition and gets the Sh... when they go to 3

I don't work for 3 - and find it fantastic

OK, I've seen it now -- the 3 MobileBroadBand connect utility (i'm using USB) is buggy as. The traffic meter is completely bogus. Mine is jumping in chunks of 40mb during idle time, rocketting up into the GB's with no use in periods simply too short for that sort of traffic to pass through this type of link.

The online usage shows dramatically less, which is good, but still doesn't seem quite accurate.

the best sugestion is to use NetMeter...

as most ISP's "usage meter" are dodgy anyways (not just '3's - see bigpond threads etc)...

JUst downloaded Netmeter and looks cool . :-)

will see what it runs like in the next few days.

Hello Everyone, Im new here as you can tell ^.^. Im thinking about getting 3's $49 plan 2GB. With all the comments above, i think it shouldnt be a problem. I hope it works out fine. Also Whats the easiest way to sign up for it?

Thanks
sulmar

sulmar writes...

Also Whats the easiest way to sign up for it?


Go to a 3 dealer and do it... I was connected yesterday in 10 mins at the shop and by the time I got home it was all working.

Good speeds... sh**s all over the unwired card I had.

Your comments eime where you claim only one person has a problem with 3, has to say you don't read comments before replying.

As if you did, you would see that is right there is more then one person with problems with Three in this thread.

Now be good next time you reply eime and read comments before replying.

Thanks

Cyberknutt you have to ask Three Staff?

Hold on better not.

As they told me don't believe The Meter.

govirgil writes...

Cyberknutt you have to ask Three Staff?

To what are you referring?

A few thoughts for the original poster. I'm not a 3-hater (though I do get pissed off how often my K800i has to roam in Sydney's outskirts), nor a fan-boi (it's just a tele-co FFS!)

1. I signed up with 3 yesterday. Painless transaction to add a dedicated data package to my existing account, although I was disappointed that I couldn't add it to my existing service and had to take it with a new SIM. Took up the $49/2GB offer with the first six months at half price. I compared the offering to Telstra, Optus and Vodafone and, for my usage patterns, nothing came close in terms of value for money.

2. Setup is a piece of cake (I did it under Vista). Plug in. Auto-detect. Install app. Start using.

3. Speed here at home has been surprisingly good (3G coverage can be a bit patchy when you're blocked in with terrace houses. Can get 1.2Mbps from most places in the house (see my blog entry phlog.net/entry/691569) and managed to get 2.2Mbps a few moments ago (see phlog.net/entry/692019).

4. Only issue I'm having at the moment is upload speed. Not sure if it's my UMPC, the USB modem, the network - or just the included software. Travelling to Melbourne this week, so I'm going to give it a workout and see what I can work out.

Just a comment to one of the other posters regarding "Bombay India". The tech support section for data is located here in Australia and has a dedicated number (Mon-Fri business hours) - 1300.651545. And if I don't work out this upload speed issue I'll be giving them a call. :-)

Hope this helps.

Derek
phlog.net/user/OzDJ