I retired from personal blogging in July 2008.
But you can find me over at http://blog.xero.com.
Ironically the greatly anticipated Intel Mac version of the software required to use a Vodem on a MacBook was posted today.
Ironically because just this afternoon, Pinty from Telecom dropped off a USB Minimax. Minimax runs on Telecom’s EVDO 3G network.
Over the past week I’ve tried to use a Vodem in customer demos (running on a colleagues Windows PC). It sucked. I’m not sure what’s happening technically but it seems to go to sleep and take a while to wake up. I’ve lost confidence in using a Vodem for technical demo’s. Won’t do it.
In contrast, the MiniMax seems to connect quickly and seems to stay up.
So back to Telecom for Data and Vodafone for Voice. I only went for the Vodem because it looks so damn good. Apple Cool. I just wanted it to work.
The data guys at Telecom are really firing. Roaming works great in Australia and they seem to have their network humming.
The retail stores don’t understand the advantage they have though. Try asking an assistant in a Telecom store what a MiniMax is.
blog
It might work well, but the design… OMG the humanity!!! ;-)
Opposite experience here. 6 telecom 3g cards, 50% failure rate out of the box and 1 week replacement time. I’ll never use Telecom wireless data again. Sorry about the double post elesewhere.
Awesome … and very timely. I was about to pick up a Vodem today. Any idea where to get a MiniMax in Wellington today? The Lambton Quay Telecom shop said “huh?” to my question of “Do you have the MiniMax?”. :-(
M.
In Spain, we have with Vodafone
modem USB 3G
http://www.vodafone.es/modemUSB
An option also with both data and voice (all mobile)
http://www.vodafone.es/navegayhabla
For Mac, you have to download first the SW at
http://www.vodafone.es/Vodafone/ParticularesPS/ParticularesPSSin/0,,30906,00.html
You can see the TV commercial here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hj4mCdes7a8
Saludos,
Javier G.
I was having the same problem with the Vodem in customer demos. A Vodafone techo guy told me it was to do with the software not handling the change between 3G and 3G broadband networks very well. When 3GB gets too busy it’ll drop you down to 3G, this causes the ‘dead’ time.
He said they would be releasing a new software update soon to resolve this problem. We’ll wait and see.
I’ve got a Vodafone 3G card and it is useless. It’s fine once it’s going but it struggles to get connected. The two trips I’ve done it’s taken me a day until some random combination of thigs I did got it going.
I think the problem Rod is you are using the wrong computer (a Mac); try Windows. Just got back from London and Hong Kong and using a Merlin XU870 card on Vodaphone had no problems at all. Connected well on 3G broadband even with a 2 bar signal. In HK it worked extra fast. The advantage of this card is it will work when they double the speed in January.
Bear in mind Rod that Telecom will move to GSM. Not a question of “if” but when.
Vodem! *ugh* LOL. I got one in November, switching from a Woosh PC card that sucked, and was not mobile at all. It barely got a signal in the Auckland CBD. Anyway, from day one I have had problems with the Vodem. Problems are different every week and Vodafone’s technical support for it are useless. I recently switched from Telecom to Vodafone for mobile services as well. After 6wks of account muck ups and a Vodem that causes problem every week I am reconsidering. Even their mobile customer service haven’t delivered when saying they will on account problems. It has been laughable, in it’s frustration.
Is technology jumping ahead of those who actually can service it?
I’ve had no problems with the Vodem since I’ve had it, except for the month or so before the Vodem had the software to run on Intel Macs meaning my Mini wouldn’t run it.
Since then however no real problems, at least none that couldn’t be attributed to living on the outskirts of the HSDPA signal. Still able to make 800Kbps on it though.
Have to pay for 3G but it doesnt work - only get 2G. They also suddenly ring up and tell you that you went over the limit and have to pay $700! Very unhappy customer. Unfortunately locked into contract, one just has to pay over and above the monthly payment. They are quick to sign one up but dont warn you that you could end up owing hundreds of dollars, if you go over the limit. They also wait until you owe hundreds (over $700) before they ring ring you up and tell you. Shocking!
We bought a Vodem for work with the advantage that it could be used anywhere.
But this thing is a complete buggy piece of slow junk. Sometimes it works and others it slows to a crawl and has software errors or doesn’t work at all. We have tried it on several PC’s with the same results, dialup would have been faster and more reliable. We are hooked into a contract, but big deal, I have written and told them to shove it in a nice sort of way and told them if they didn’t like it, I would see them in the small claims court.
The best advice I can give is to throw the thing in the rubbish bin.
Steve
Hmmm… so what’s the answer to mobile broadband in the CBD? Does woosh really suck that much, and is Telcom’s the only reliable solution?
Well, first choice is to go to Cafe’s with CafeNet.
Then T3G if I can’t get wifi. I use T3G (via minimax) for sales demo’s and it’s fine.
If you do a few hotel nights a month and avoid the larcenous hotel broadband charges the minimax saves dough. I use Voda for voice (need international roaming) and Telecom for data.
It would be great if all CityLink customers threw a CafeNet hotspot up in premise for us wandering demo dollys.
yeah, we’re in the middle of disputing a issue with them over a huge bill that we know we didnt use as the damn thing wouldnt work half the time, (c’mon we live in central napier) and we’re probarbly about to take them to small claims :S any ideas?
Try updating the firmware. I had heaps of trouble but now have not a problem. Unless I’m trying to burn a disk with itunes and use the vodem in a 2G area. peace
Latest vodem software and firmware can be downloaded from http://www.mobilenetworks.co.nz remove old vodafone software from pc after update. If using mac only need to action firmware update but needs to done on pc xp/vista. This will take vodem to 7.2 mbps on the downlink.
Using the Vodem too - had quite a few problems with it connecting - but then not downloading data. Also had a bill for $500 one time too. the software sucks at keeping track of what you use - and you lose that info when you upgrade firmaware - which you have to do often! The charges when you go over you limit are extortionate - and sem to be a deliberate trap to mugging customers of their cash.