Vodafone's flat rate 3G card tariffs arrive

ACCEPTING THE inevitable, Vodafone UK has decided to go ahead with flat-rate data plans from July 2nd 2007. And you can use Skype over the connexion if you want.

Claiming to be the market leader with 280,000 3G data card users, Vodafone has gone for two simple tariffs: - a 24 hour tariff for £8.50 and a monthly tariff for £25.

The catch is that these tariffs appear to apply solely to those using PC cards - not those with 3G handsets.Itdoes say, however, that "it is important to note that Mobile Broadband comes with no application restrictions."

Naturally there is a hidden maximum use clause. There's a 3GB 'fair usage policy' for the UK, which on the 24 hour version falls to 500MB fair usage policy, while 24 hour roaming sessions are subject to a 50MB limit.

Actually, the 24 hour roaming tariff is something of a bargain given that it is the same price as the UK version as long as you connect via a Vodafone partner network. The monthly version is £95 for 200 Mb.

Actually, the list of supported networks is quite extensive. The curious can look up full details here.

The company also claims that there are no restrictions on the kind of application you run. So it will be possible to use Skype or an alternative VoIP service.

Users are meant to guess that these tariffs apply to high-speed 3G access- ie HSDPA. Vodafone claims its 'Mobile Broadband' network can offer 1.8 Mbit/s.

Strange, then that its web site rates its own 'broadband 3G card' at only 1.4 Mbit/s. Ho-hum. µ

L'INQ
Vodafone's 3G