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Monday 10th October 2005
Mobile data cards
As growing businesses strive to make their workforce ever more flexible, mobile network operators are seizing the opportunity to push their data card offerings. But what are these cards, who should use them and how much do they cost?
The technology
A mobile data card is a device that plugs into a standard laptop, enabling internet access. The connection can be forged in a variety of ways: over a 3G mobile network, a GPRS connection (standard in most modern mobile phones) or through WiFi (wireless broadband).
Each protocol has its own strengths and weaknesses. WiFi, which is available to most laptop users even without a card, is often the quickest (in terms of connection speed) and cheapest solution. However, you must be in range of a ‘hotspot’ in order to gain access. 3G also facilitates rapid internet connection, but, depending on network operator, is more expensive and will only be available to 65 to 85 per cent of the UK population. That leaves GPRS, which while far slower (think standard dial-up internet connection) is almost universally available in the UK.
Due to the differing strengths and weaknesses of each technology, network operators are increasingly keen to offer a bundled service. ‘Our data card enables 3G, WiFi and even GPRS, so for the user there is a seamless connection,’ says Jote Bassi, data propositions manager for T-Mobile.
Usually, software installed on a laptop will allow the user to switch between protocols as and when necessary.
Target users
Data cards are billed as being suitable for any worker requiring internet access (to update sales records, submit reports etc) on the move. During the 2004 Olympics, for instance, photographers from the press agency Getty Images used the technology to wire pictures back to their head office within a matter of minutes.
‘We believe this is really for small and mid-sized business customers. It’s about giving people the ability to work flexibly – out of the office or at their customer’s site as that gives a big advantage to businesses,’ Orange’s Debbie Morris explains.
There are, however, drawbacks. At present, most cards will only work on Windows laptops. Only Vodafone has a proposition that will work on Macs and even this is only compatible with the larger Powerbooks. ‘You should check before you buy,’ advises Vodafone’s Bryony Clow.
Roaming can also be a problem. Most providers do offer a service (either to the equivalent of 3G or more often GPRS) overseas. But this is likely to cost between £7.50 and £8 per Mb used and roaming in the US can be more difficult due to differences in the network.
Costs
Basic UK tariffs vary depending on use. 1Mb is equivalent to about 250 emails,’ explains T-Mobile’s Jote Bassi. ‘We offer a basic allowance. The cheapest tariff is £10 a month for 7Mb and this goes up to 1,000Mb a month for £70.’
Similar schemes are offered by all of the major providers. Vodafone, for example, charges £10 a month for 5Mb and £75 for 1,000Mb (intermediate prices are available at 50Mb and 300Mb), while Orange’s basic package is once again £10 for 7Mb through to £75 for 1000Mb.
The cost of the card itself depends on tariff. On the basic tariffs highlighted above Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone respectively charge £170, £152.30 and £169 (all excluding VAT). For the 1,000Mb packages these figures respectively drop to £85, £24.68 and £84.
Elliott Davis
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