3G for dummies?

[Ext User(DJ!)]

After 15mths of drops, scratches and similar abuse my beloved K750i is
on its last legs. At least it lasted a bit longer than the K700i
before it ;-)

I've been pretty happy with the Sony Ericsson user interface (fast
and intuitive); I appreciate the camera module (I enjoy mobile
blogging) and now that I have an HCB700 installed in the car
(http://blog.thedunnydoor.com/2006/09/bluetooth-follies.html) I guess
I am keen to stick with the SE marque.

The front-runner replacement is a K800i. Of course, this opens up a
pile of 3G questions. Allow me to bore(?) you with a few now :-)

I currently have a post-paid Optus SIM through BDigital. Will I need
to get a new SIM card to use the K800i on the Optus 3G network?
Presumably I *could* stick the current SIM in the K800i when I get it
but it will just use non-3G infrastructure? If I have to get a new SIM
with my existing number, would I need to do that via BDigital or could
any Optus outlet assist?

Are there any 3G cap plans that include a nominal amount of data
traffic (even, say, 5-10MB)?

There's a lot of information (of varying quality) on the web about 3G
services and their dependence on specific firmware builds. In essence,
I'm getting an idea that if I want to use Optus 3G I should really buy
a K800i branded by Optus; for Three a Three-branded unit etc. I've
never been keen on cheesy brandings/logos (I reflashed my Optus-Zoo'd
K750i on day one) but if I have to put up with operator
marketing/logos to be able to use 3G service I guess I will do so.
Thoughts? Facts?

Finally, and at the risk of opening up a network fanboi war ;-) , are
there any reasons why I should give 3G - or Optus 3G in particular - a
wide berth? Main areas of use would be metro (Syd-Mel-Bne-Can) and
Newcastle

Thanks in advance

DJ
http://blog.thedunnydoor.com

[Ext User(Jeremy Quirke)]

"DJ!" <OzDJ@clubduh.com> wrote in message
news:a1arh2deuji0lso7m4je7fjunvhh2koj12@4ax.com...
> After 15mths of drops, scratches and similar abuse my beloved K750i is
> on its last legs. At least it lasted a bit longer than the K700i
> before it ;-)
>
> I've been pretty happy with the Sony Ericsson user interface (fast
> and intuitive); I appreciate the camera module (I enjoy mobile
> blogging) and now that I have an HCB700 installed in the car
> (http://blog.thedunnydoor.com/2006/09/bluetooth-follies.html) I guess
> I am keen to stick with the SE marque.
>
> The front-runner replacement is a K800i. Of course, this opens up a
> pile of 3G questions. Allow me to bore(?) you with a few now :-)
>
> I currently have a post-paid Optus SIM through BDigital. Will I need
> to get a new SIM card to use the K800i on the Optus 3G network?
> Presumably I *could* stick the current SIM in the K800i when I get it
> but it will just use non-3G infrastructure? If I have to get a new SIM
> with my existing number, would I need to do that via BDigital or could
> any Optus outlet assist?

The Optus network allows legacy SIMs to use the UMTS (3G) infrastructure if
you have a 3G UMTS handset. But that being said, there's no video calls
etc.. you are just using the UMTS physical network to carry your legacy
phone calls and SMS etc. In fact if the reduced battery life bothers you
just force it to GSM mode only. So new SIM needed for "real" 3G.

> Are there any 3G cap plans that include a nominal amount of data
> traffic (even, say, 5-10MB)?
>
> There's a lot of information (of varying quality) on the web about 3G
> services and their dependence on specific firmware builds. In essence,
> I'm getting an idea that if I want to use Optus 3G I should really buy
> a K800i branded by Optus; for Three a Three-branded unit etc. I've
> never been keen on cheesy brandings/logos (I reflashed my Optus-Zoo'd
> K750i on day one) but if I have to put up with operator
> marketing/logos to be able to use 3G service I guess I will do so.
> Thoughts? Facts?
>
> Finally, and at the risk of opening up a network fanboi war ;-) , are
> there any reasons why I should give 3G - or Optus 3G in particular - a
> wide berth? Main areas of use would be metro (Syd-Mel-Bne-Can) and
> Newcastle

[Ext User(Paul Day)]

On Mon, 2 Oct 2006 08:11:54 +1000 Jeremy Quirke may have written:
> The Optus network allows legacy SIMs to use the UMTS (3G)
> infrastructure if you have a 3G UMTS handset.

And Voda too - not surprisingly I suppose.

> But that being said, there's no video calls etc.. you are just using
> the UMTS physical network to carry your legacy phone calls and SMS
> etc.

What about data? I assume it allows you to fire up 3G/UMTS data
connections? Or is that a no, as per "no video" below?

PD

--
Paul Day
Web: http://www.enigma.id.au/