WiFi vs 3G thoughts. I’m going for 3G on my UMPC.

I have all but given up on reliable Wi-Fi hotspot access in Europe. In my locality (and its the same in many other towns) none of the hotspots are free and those that are free are always by some unknown provider. Contracts are expensive and the unknown providers are a security risk in my opinion. If I don’t know who you are, I’m not going to let you handle my data.

The launch of Three’s X-Series unlimited internet browsing service last week has prompted me once again to consider upgrading my cellular data plan and to wonder how UMPCs and cellular data services will sit together in 2007.

This year we’ve seen the Sony UX180P/280P and the Flybook ultra mobile offerings launching with built in Cellular data capability in in 2007 we’ll see the P1610, the LG C1 and the Coxion Webbook 3G. I’m sure there will be other options too.

Unfortunately, there are also issues with cellular data access. Costs are not really the issue for me. I don’t really have a problem paying 40 Euro per month for a 1.8Mbps connection of up to 5GB, its all the contractual issues that are the problem.

Take this for example. My provider, Vodafone, offers me 1.8Mbps HSDPA access at no extra charge, until Jan 2007 when they might (or might not) change the charges. OK, they will offer 3.6Mpbs (known as UMTS-Turbo in their marketing-speak,) but it could be bad if they turn off the 1.8mbps version and charge a premium for UMTS-Turbo.

Hold on, did I just say that my provider will be offering 3.6Mpbs speeds in just 4 weeks. That’s faster than my cable modem at home! (Mustn’t forget that latency is high on cellular networks though.)

There are other problems too. You never know quite what access you are getting. What ports or protocols are being blocked and through what transparent proxies your data is being fed? There are so many exception to watch out for.  Three’s X-series is an example. This service, hailed by many as the start of open flat rate internet access, is not as good as it first appears. No one seems to care that its actually unlimited web browsing only, that there is actually a 5Gb fair-use limit and that the other applications that come in the package only work on one phone through the built in software.

Then there’s the tethering issue. Although its never really made clear, there are sometimes policies in place that could prevent you from using the service via a UMPC. I really don’t want to be tied to a 240×320 screen and WM5 so tethering is going to have to be considered.

The option I have at the moment is to either upgrade my phone to an HSDPA capable model or go for something like the Vodafone Mobile Connect USB Modem or the T-Mobile web`n`walk Box.  A separate modem is a bit sub-optimal. USB dongles with cables are pretty annoying and have a habit of getting left at home. (unlike my phone.) 3.6Mbps Cat 6 UMTS access looks like it will only be possible via a Nokia N95 to start with. I’m not sure if the N73 or N80 can be upgraded to support 3.6Mbps HSDPA. At the moment, the phone upgrade sounds like the best option.

What I’d like to see is a new class of device being offered by the carriers. An Ultra Mobile PC/laptop/convertible offered with 1.8Mbps or 3.6Mbps 3G flat rate on a 24×50 euro/month contract with subsidised hardware. On that sort of contract I’d expect an Origami-spec ultra mobile PC to be available for around 300 Euro. If I’m going to upgrade my phone just to get a higher data rate, why don’t I just upgrade my ultra mobile PC for a similar cost and keep my old mobile?

Cellular internet access is now a permanent fixture on my ultra mobile PC wishlist and i’m going to add it to the Carrypad device specifications too. The Carrypad concept design has been unchanged for 10 months but in the light of my research and experience with Wi-Fi, I’m going to change it.

Steve