uk mobile broadband providers

[blackest_knight]

Hi
I've got an unlocked t-mobile universal and my contracts coming to an end, so i am looking to see whats available for mobile broadband and its all a bit confusing.

The big issue has to be whats allowed by the operators, T-mobile seems to block IM and skype
Three looks interesting The pay as you go options look reasonable, but for pay monthly people seem to have issues with them.

The others i know nothing about.

so who is best for mobile broadband?

The next issue usb dongle or using the phone as a modem.
on my universal connection seemed very slow about dial up speed really (t-mobile)
I think the universal doesnt support high speeds so perhaps the dongle is best.

I don't know is if a sim bought for a usb dongle will work in a mobile such as a htc-universal
also if other sims would work in the dongle. for example a local pay and go sim whilst out of the uk.

Mobile broadband seems a minefield especially if your going to sign a contract so any advice personal experience would be good to hear.

thank you

john

[carphead]

I have a Three PAYG Modem that I got about three months ago for £20. I also have my Nokia N95 on a Three contract. I use the USB Modem (ZTE Model) rarely. Normally I just use the PAYG Sim in my Vario III. If I need to use my laptop I just fire up WMWifiRouter and it works perfectly. If I can't get a single I also have a T-Mobile PAYG sim that I keep at a really low Value (Less than £4). T-Mobile should only cap the cost at a maximum of £1 a day.

The USB Dongles are almost always locked to the issuing network. Some of them can be unlocked but not all of them. I know the Soap block looking ones from three can be unlocked.