[PDLM]

Originally Posted by SMC-Voda

Contract is subject to an Acceptable Usage Policy that specifies what you can do and cannot do in terms of applications, not volume. These prohibited applications may adversely impact our network, which in turns affect the service quality of our Mobile Broadband service and even other services we offer to the entire customer base.

That would be Skype then, presumably?

[KnowItAll]

(i) to using the services for internet based video download and video / audio streaming services, uploading, downloading or streaming of movies, music or games

(ii) to using the services with server devices or with host computer applications, including, but not limited to, modem access for computers, Web camera posts or broadcasts, continuous JPEG file transfers, automatic data feeds, telemetry application, automated function, internet based telephony (VOIP), peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing or any other automated machine-to-machine applications

Needs a little bit of work ...

Sort of conflicts with Nokia's version of the next generation services that telcos will enable for their customers including podcasting, content discovery, video / mobile blogging etc.

Not to mention Microsoft's vision of convergence.

http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/execmail/

Having said that ... atleast it offers some amount of all you can surf ability... blessing for someone like me who gets about 20-50MB of mail every day and would really like to get it on a mobile device.

[irock]

Hi SMC-Voda,

Your presence is most welcome! Now, pls answer this.

1. I have a Apple PowerBook G4. Does Smartone Vodafone CD ship with control panel for Panther/Tiger OS? The PC version is highly praised... I hope Mac has something equally well-written.

2. Since there's no 100MB limit, is there any monthly aggregated traffic limit? UK Vodafone unfortunately imposed a 1GB limit.

3. Do u know if Smartone has any plans to roll out a USB or an ExpressCard HSDPA modem? I am getting a new laptop with ample of USB/ExpressCard but not PCMCIA. So, I may hold off until Smartone offers a more flexible solution.

Ian

Originally Posted by SMC-Voda

Our Mobile Broadband offers customers 2 service plans – Contract and Flexi.

Contract, the unlimited local data usage plan at $488 per month, is designed for customers who use our mobile broadband service for i) Internet browsing; ii) email and iii) Intranet access. This is a very competitive offering compared to other relevant service plans in the market.

Flexi offers customers more simplicity, flexibility and great value. With a minimum value as low as $100 per month, customers can enjoy one rate local data usage at 50MB per $100 and one rate roaming worldwide at $0.12 per KB. It requires no registration, no contract and there is no restriction in usage applications.

Contract is subject to an Acceptable Usage Policy that specifies what you can do and cannot do in terms of applications, not volume. These prohibited applications may adversely impact our network, which in turns affect the service quality of our Mobile Broadband service and even other services we offer to the entire customer base.

There is no such 100MB limit for our Mobile Broadband service for file downloading or web browsing as some customers commented. You can download service pack from Microsoft.

We have an automated system in place to ensure this is followed, so that every SmarTone-Vodafone customer can enjoy superior service at all time.

For customers who require bulk usage or specialised applications including VoIP, we can design fit-for-purpose data plans to meet their specific needs. They can contact our Hotline at 2880-2662 so that we can better understand their needs.

[oyster]

i emailed and replied about expresscard support but have not heard back from Smartone. Does anyone know if the sim card is locked to the pcmcia card they supplied ?

Thank you for your email.

Regarding to your enquiry, we regret to to inform you that Vodafone HSDPA/3G/GPRS Mobile Connect datacard is available for Type II PC card slot currently. If your expressCard is HSDPA supported, you are welcome to provide more information for further check.

Should there be any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at our 24-hour data services hotline 2880 2622 or send email to us again. We would be delighted to offer our sincere help.

Best regards

Customers Division
SmarTone-Vodafone

[irock]

Originally Posted by oyster

If your expressCard is HSDPA supported, you are welcome to provide more information for further check.

This already implies their SIM card isn't locked to their particular PCMCIA HSDPA card. I'm trying to get hold of a Vofafone USB HSDPA modem available to Eastern Europe.

[cb1118]

Originally Posted by irock

Hi, I'm considering Vodafone HSDPA. Has anyone looking into this mobile internet solution?

From what I gather, if they find out you are downloading HUGE amount of files, they can shut down your connection. Smartone defines HUGE as downloading a single file larger than 100MB. I'll heading to Central's Smartone retail store for more clairfications. One of my questions will be whether or not 100MB of webpage browsing will trigger their alarm.

you must be talking about that HK$488 per month plan
the sales tells me...if you want 24hours internet access (including large files access)
you just need to pay extra HK$80 per month = HK$568 per month
you can then do whatever you want with it

[irock]

Just heard the news that Vodafone Australia is rolling out a USB HSDPA modem of year's end. Hopefully, we Smartone customers will get it soon.
http://www.everythingusb.com/vodafone_hsdpa.html

[SMC-Voda]

Many thanks for your tremendous interests in the SmarTone-Vodafone Mobile Broadband.

Below are the answers to your questions: -

Any need to buy the datacard from SMC-Vodafone if you want to use a device like the soon to be released HSDPA phones from Samsung and HTC or laptops being planned by the likes of Lennovo and Dell?
- There is no need for a separate datacard for HSDPA phones or laptops with HSDPA capability. On the data plan, we are working on it and it will be available before commercial availability of mobile devices with HSDPA capability.

Regarding Skype?
- Contract is not designed for those prohibited applications as stated in the Acceptable Usage Policy and all VOIP including Skype will be prohibited. However, we do offer special arrangement to enable Skype/VOIP at a fee of $88 per month.

Sort of conflicts with Nokia's version of the next generation services that telcos will enable for their customers including podcasting, content discovery, video / mobile blogging etc.?
- Our Flexi plan offers customers more simplicity, flexibility and great value. It requires no registration, no contract and there is no restriction in usage application. For users with special needs, they can talk to us for special arrangement and plan.

I have an Apple PowerBook G4. Does SmarTone Vodafone CD ship with control panel for Panther/Tiger OS?
- SmarTone-Vodafone CD also includes a control panel for Apple Power G4 (with PCMCIA slot). However, the Mac version of control panel is simpler and not identical to that for the PC version.

Is there any monthly aggregated traffic limit?
- Our Contract plan is subject to an Acceptable Usage Policy that specifies what user can do and cannot do in terms of applications, not volume. There is no 100 MB file size limit or monthly aggregated data volume limit.

Any plans to roll out a USB or an ExpressCard HSDPA modem?
- We understand that some vendors are developing USB / ExpressCard HSDPA modem. We will let you know when they provide the commercial availability schedule.

Does anyone know if the sim card is locked to the pcmcia card they supplied?
- The SIM card is locked to the HSDPA data card.

[PDLM]

Originally Posted by SMC-Voda

Regarding Skype?
- Contract is not designed for those prohibited applications as stated in the Acceptable Usage Policy and all VOIP including Skype will be prohibited. However, we do offer special arrangement to enable Skype/VOIP at a fee of $88 per month.

I'm very curious to see how you will police that. No-one that I know of has found a way of blocking skype yet...

[KnowItAll]

PDLM : Windups aside .. you really don't expect someone to reveal any trade secrets do you?

I'd recommend looking at Checkpoint NGX