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

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Tuesday 07 July 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.

5 Comments  |  

Comments

happy

by Gazmaz
at 12:13 on 23 Jul 2009

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! Report abuse
neutral

by Malphas
at 12:35 on 21 Aug 2009

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. Report abuse
neutral

by cheap computers
at 11:46 on 27 Aug 2009

I think its is an increditable move towards failure. Report abuse
happy

by Eric Vincent
at 13:53 on 22 Sep 2009

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

by Antony Watts
at 07:46 on 22 Nov 2009

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

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