Based on Huawei-developed technology, the modem is a small USB device that has an internal storage feature that means Windows XP users need only plug it in to install it. Mac users are not left out, but will require the installation CD.
Once installed, a simple dashboard allows connection, signal monitoring and browser starting.
Though the connection indicates 3.6Mbps, the current speed of the system is a realistic 1.4Mbps with around 150Kbps upstream. This easily competes with entry-level fixed broadband. Demonstrated in Dublin city centre, tests indicated speeds above 1Mbps. In further testing out and about, Dublin 15 showed a healthy test speed of 1.2Mbps.
With all the benefits of a mobile signal, such as handover between cells, the system is also capable of scaling back when the signal strength or availability requires it. Standard 3G and GPRS are both available with the system where HSDPA is not to be found. The unit also has a colour coded indicator light, which lets the user know exactly what signal is available.
Vodafone has said that currently there is 70% population coverage for the HSDPA signal and that this will expand further to the 75-80% levels seen for 3G. There are also plans in the next few months to expand the speed of the service to the 3.6 Mbps rate.
However, it is the pricing of the system that might make it most attractive to users. The modem retails for €129 and there is a promotional monthly data tariff available for the first six months of €39.99 for 5Gb of data. For normal e-mail and browsing, this is indeed a limit that provides much headroom. The combination of fixed costs and this healthy limit will likely make the system a worthy contender for Wi-Fi with the added advantage of greater availability than Wi-Fi hotspots.
The modem uses a SIM card from Vodafone that is enabled for HSDPA, however, it is also possible to use your phone’s existing SIM card, if you are a Vodafone user, and have a card enabled for HSDPA.
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