Mobile network cards

[mackjohn]

Has anyone used a mobile network card in their laptop? I have one from Ornage and the connection seems rather slow. The information box tells me I am connected at 115kbps but I ran a speed test and it was only about 25kbps. The connection is via Orange GPRS mobile network. Has anyone any info on this set up, is something not configured correctly or am I just too used to Cable Broadband that 115 seems slow? !

[VAIOneer]

As with any dial up modem, the connected speed, and the actual speed is usually quiet different !!

Also, GPRS will revert to GSM data if you're out of range so that may also appear to give slower connection times.

[kee-lo_]

I only get 9600kbps from my mobile, so be thankful.

[VAIOneer]

Must mean you're not on Orange then Kee-Lo.

Well last time I looked, Orange was the only provider that did faster then 9.6k anyway, but things have probably moved on no doubt!

[kee-lo_]

Yeah but Orange is expensive.
Actually so is O2

[stevep-4]

The connection speed can be show as the speed betweent eh computer and the mobile card......not the card and the network

[mackjohn]

I only get 9600kbps from my mobile, so be thankful.

Thats what it feels like for me when it says 115kbps, I used to connect my mobile phone via infra red and that is what I got then, I also tried using blutooth but the result was much the same, the mobile card does seem quicker, but not as quick as 56k dial up, though it 'should' be twice as quick.

Can anyone recommend a good speed test site to check out what it actually is.

[kee-lo_]

Try ADSLGuide's one.

[intradinkq]

As I understand it GPRS uses redundant GSM channels in each cell. What this means is if there are enough free GSM channels available, then you could achieve the theoretical maximum speed. However if someone uses their mobile near you, then they will 'steal' your GPRS bandwidth since it takes priority.

[kee-lo_]

I have noticed that in busy places.