3 Mobile launches SIM card mobile broadband: but what's the point?

Tue 07 Jul 2009 5 Comments

3 Mobile has become the first UK provider to offer a SIM card mobile broadband deal. The package seems fairly neat at £15/month for a 5GB download allowance, and the one-month rolling contract is definitely a big selling point. It does seem like an obvious move for mobile broadband providers, as SIM-only deals are commonplace in the mobile phone market plus we do see a certain amount of demand for SIM deals on Broadband Genie.

But what could someone actually do with a mobile broadband SIM? Presumably you can theoretically unlock a dongle or a 3G laptop and insert your 3 Mobile SIM, but I've yet to see this service on my high stree (although there are some back-street internet services popping up). Alternatively, you could use the 3 SIM in your existing 3 Mobile dongle, but what's the point when you can get a 3x the download allowance plus a free brand new dongle for exactly the same cost (albeit on a 24-month contract)? So the only possible current market, the way I see it, is for a loyal 3 Mobile customer at the end of a contract who wants to stick with the service yet hedge their bets with a one-month contract.

I guess the answer is that unlocking will get more common if and when other providers emulate the SIM-only deal, but we'd be interested to know if anyone's considering the SIM deal (or has already bought it), or if you've unlocked your dongle or laptop.

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Comments

  • happy

    by Gazmaz at 12:13 on 23 Jul 2009Report abuse

    The point has been somewhat cleared up now, the Novatel MiFi mobile Router, I'm searching for exactly what 3 are offering infact I'm amazed no one else does them!

  • neutral

    by Malphas at 12:35 on 21 Aug 2009Report abuse

    Computer manufacturers such as Dell are selling laptops with no-SIM/contract mobile broadband modules in them. Presumably you're then free to purchase any SIM card you want and use it with your laptop.

  • neutral

    by cheap computers at 11:46 on 27 Aug 2009Report abuse

    I think its is an increditable move towards failure.

  • happy

    by Eric Vincent at 13:53 on 22 Sep 2009Report abuse

    I don't believe that from little simcard, we able to receive speed like broadband connection. Let see what comes next from 3 mobile...

  • neutral

    by Antony Watts at 07:46 on 22 Nov 2009Report abuse

    Now what we need is a pan-Europe deal - broadband any where in the EU at one price.

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