Basically, 3G is a wireless (mobile telecommunication) service that is able to transfer data at higher speeds and greater efficiency through the use of packet-switched data (Data transmitted from multiple users in individually addressed discrete packets). Services include wide-area wireless voice telephone, video calls and wireless data. 3G networks have been “live” for about a decade, so it is tested technology.
And yes, it works with Skype.
And yes, it allows telephone calls while you are accessing the internet.
As of last week ICE was providing 3G service to users who had a 3G compatible mobile phone bought in Costa Rica or through the rental / purchase of a USB modem stick. The cost of the modem is about $80 or it can be rented monthly for 18 months at about $4.50 per month. The equipment provided by ICE is a Huawei E166 USB modem stick.
The Modems are both Windows and Mac compatible and the installation software is provided on the USB stick.
Installation is straightforward and I have yet to hear of anyone that has had any trouble during the installation process. This is across a handful of users with little computer experience.
ICE provides a configuration guide for Windows in Spanish that has screen shots in English for the first few pages then switches back to Spanish. (if that makes any sense) The important thing is that with the screen shots it is very easy to walk through the installation regardless of the language.
For those users trying to get rid of their dial-up service the 3G network is definitely much quicker and it is worth taking a little time to see if it is an acceptable alternative. For those users on high speed connections 3G is probably not a solution for you but depending on your internet use it could save you some cost without slowing you down to a crawl.
It is critical to remember that speed on a 3G network is dependant on a strong signal. Without a strong signal the network will switch you to the “ Edge” protocol transfer speed which is little better than dial-up. Interestingly “Edge” technology was strongly supported by “ Apple” until fairly recently. Using the modem it is possible to extend the connection wire to about 20 – 24 feet without suffering speed degradation. I have my modem hanging in my garage as that is where my strongest signal is. 7 meters of cable costs about 5 mil at Satek.
For page loads and website access the 3G network is virtually as quick as the high speed internet connection that I have with AMNET. The speed difference comes into play on the upload/download of information to/from the internet.
A test download of a 4 minute music file went as follows:
Amnet high speed over a wireless home network took about 45 seconds.
3G Modem took about 1 minute 37 seconds.
Dial-up, provided by Racsa, I fell asleep……. was about 4 minutes 23 seconds.
I would be very careful of using a single ICE 3G connection for multiple users or for users that will have multiple downloads/uploads going at the same time. Currently the 3G Network offered by ICE runs at a max download speed of +/- 800kbps and upload speed of +/- 500kbps. These are quoted rates under ideal conditions. According to an article in La Nacion this will change in February with the speed doubling to 1.5mbps. Which may make these options more attractive at that time.
And yes there is a cost increase associated with the increased speed.
ICE offers an unlimited data plan for a little under 18 mil per month for 18 months. The modem charge is included in this cost. The cost of the 1st month if signed up for before Feb. is about 7 mil. I think the discount on the 1st month is offered because the 3G network is not up to full speed. The La Nacion article addressing, or further confusing this issue follows at the end of my notes.
There is an array of mobile phones and a few handhelds that are available at local stores throughout the country at fairly exorbitant prices. It is important to remember that ICE requires a receipt stating that the device was bought in Costa Rica. It is also important to remember that the speed on these devices will vary depending on if you are moving or stationary and the reception strength of the device. From the vendors I spoke with Nokia has the strongest reception. Nokia offers a basic 3G phone model 2730 at about 95 mil to 115 mil depending on where you shop. There will also be folks out there wanting to know if their Iphones are compatible with the new 3G service. On this, all I can say is that as of this week Apple does not have a resale agreement with Costa Rica. However, while I was in line at ICE I watched them configure/crack an Iphone for a customer who was ahead of me. If you do go this route remember that upgrades to the handheld may require future visits to ICE to reset the device and not all applications will run on a cracked device.
It is my understanding that the 3G phones will connect with a Windows based computer without difficulty. I would talk to whomever you buy the phone from to find out the exact steps you need to take and to make sure that your phone is compatible with the version of Windows you are running. The Mac crowd has it a little more difficult but I have heard of 3G phones connecting with Macs through a program called Parallels which costs about $80.
ICE will go from $ 6 to $ 24 cost of mobile Internet
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) will quadruple the price of mobile Internet rates offered by the new third generation (3G).
The service cost will increase from $ 6 (¢ 3,500) to $ 24 (¢ 13,500) to make ends meet, or no later than February, when the ICE double the speed of the connection.
Currently the service has a maximum bandwidth of 720 kilobits per second (kbps), but the Institute seeks to raise up to 1.5 megabits per second (mbps).
This was confirmed by James Palermo, director of the Institute Clients Division. He said rates will equate mobile Internet Speeds service (fixed), since the rate they have passed by the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (Aresep).
He also expressed do not want to compete services within the same institution.
George Miley, president of Sutel, said ICE can charge this fee if the service is equal to that offered by ADSL.
Sales. The ICE began the marketing of devices for transmitting data through the 3G network on 21 December.
To date we have sold 100 netbooks USB and 600 terminals (data card) for mobile Internet.
The Netbooks are miniature laptops upgraded to suit the sim card (cell phone) and thus connect to the Internet using the cell line.
In this case, the user will keep the connection to broadband Internet, wirelessly, anywhere there is mobile phone signal.
Meanwhile, the data card (USB modem), to take your Internet phone to any computer. To do this, place the sim card in data card and then the USB device connects the computer.
The Huawei E166 data card brand has a cost of ¢ 3500 ¢ 39,000 plus wireless Internet service, and is only available on the ICE.
If the customer purchases one of the plans Kolby, which includes the cost of the device and service, must pay ¢ 7123 per month for 18 months.
This share will increase to ¢ 17,722 a month when the Institute set the service fee to $ 24.
The Acer Aspire One netbook brand has a cost of ¢ 381,000.
By Kolby plan to 18 months, the monthly fee is ¢ 27,245 (including service) and rise to ¢ 37,844 a month, when the ICE modify the mobile Internet tariff.
For the moment these devices are currently marketed only in agencies ICE Telecommunications.
