Vodafone launch mobile wi-fi hotspot; but it’s pricey
August 19th, 2010
Vodafone have launched a new dongle which allows you to share mobile broadband between all of your wi-fi devices. We dig through all the hype.
Vodafone have just launched the “Vodafone Mobile Wi-Fi R201″ hotspot in the UK. It’s a standalone battery-powered device which connects to the Vodafone 3G network and then makes the mobile broadband connection available to other devices (such as laptops, iPod Touch, iPad, game consoles and smartphones) over wi-fi.
The hotspot will allow up to 5 connections at once and according to Vodafone will last for up to four hours on a single charge.
What tariffs is this available on?
Vodafone are offering the hotspot on three Pay Monthly tariffs starting from £15/month:
| Monthly Allowance | Contract Length | Upfront Price | Monthly Price | Total Cost (18 months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3GB | 18 months | £49 | £15 | £319 |
| 4GB | 18 months | £29 | £20 | £389 |
| 5GB | 18 months | Free | £25 | £450 |
For more information on what the monthly allowance means in terms of webpages, emails or downloads see our detailed guide to download limits.
How does Vodafone’s deal compare to Three’s Mi-Fi?
Vodafone are the second network to offer a wi-fi hotspot product. Three have had their Mi-Fi hotspot since last September. Like Vodafone’s offering, Three’s Mi-Fi is also a personal mobile wi-fi hotspot allowing up to 5 devices to connect.
We’ve discovered that Three’s Mi-Fi deals offer much better value than the Vodafone deals. For example, 5GB/month would cost £25/month on Vodafone but just £15/month on Three. For £22/month, you’ll get a 15GB/month allowance on Three.
Three’s plans are as follows:
| Monthly Allowance | Contract Length | Upfront Price | Monthly Price | Total Cost (18 months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | 18 months | Free | £9.50 | £171 |
| 5GB | 1 month | £40 | £15 | £310 |
| 5GB | 18 months | Free | £17 | £306 |
| 15GB | 18 months | Free | £22 | £396 |
Three also have the Mi-Fi available on Pay As You Go plans.
Unless you have issues receiving a signal from Three where you live, the Three deals provide much better value for money.
What are the benefits of a mobile wi-fi hotspot over a normal USB dongle?
Simply put: you can connect more devices at once and you can connect devices without a USB port. We recently outlined how iPad customers could save money by buying the Wi-Fi only version of the iPad and using the Mi-Fi accessory with it.
Is this a good way to connect my iPad to the internet?
Yes. The Vodafone product will allow you to access mobile broadband from your iPad, even if you chose the iPad without 3G connectivity.
What should I be looking for in a mobile broadband service?
Aside from a low price, there are two other key factors:
- Network and coverage – Make sure you can receive a 3G signal where you live. Use the coverage checkers provided by the networks.
- Download limits – Make sure you’ve got a large enough download allowance to cover everything you need to download. We outline what download limits mean in terms of webpages, emails and other downloads.
We’ve got more over at our detailed guide to mobile broadband.
Where can I get this deal?
This deal is available through the Vodafone website.
| About Ken | |
 | My mission is to demystify the world of mobile technology for general audiences and to communicate how mobile technology can enhance our every aspect of our daily lives. I've been maintaining the Ken's Tech Tips website since 2004. I have experience communicating mobile technology and presenting new mobile products both online and offline at various trade shows and events. If you'd like to get in touch, please drop me an e-mail. |
- Mobile , Mobile Broadband , Vodafone
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