UK Mac users get 3G option

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The wait is over for Apple users: one mobile operator has decided to launch a Mac-compatible 3G/GPRS data card.

The Vodafone card provides users with speeds of up to 384Kbps and is aimed the at Mac's business users. According to the company, its 3G coverage will extend to about 50 percent of the UK population before the end of the month and covers 250 cities abroad.

In non-3G areas, the card switches to GPRS, with 99 percent coverage.

Two version of the card are available: the Internet Access version for casual surfing on the move and Remote Access versions for VRP business use.

Mac users have had to wait some months longer than their non-Apple counterparts for 3G access: Vodafone originally launched its PC data card in April. However, it's still the only operator in the UK providing a Mac-compatible product.

A Vodafone spokeswoman said that the launch of a Mac data card was "always a priority", adding "it's a case of walking before we run -- there are more PC users out there, so we got that [data card] out there first."

The cards cost between £169 and £84 excluding VAT, with a choice of four monthly tariffs ranging from £75 and £10 excluding VAT.

Talkback

I've been using the Vodafone card on OS X for several months now. You can also use the orange 3G card aswell from drivers by novamedia

via Facebook 7 September, 2004 11:57
Reply

As I posted this to your last article on the Vodafone 3G article and Macs it is worth posting again.

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/3ggprs/0,39020339,39155927,00.htm

As with the previous poster I have been using the Vodafone UK card with my Mac for some time now.

I have found on the Vodafone Germany website their Mac OS X software for the German Vodafone 3G Datacard. This software is not available on the Vodafone UK site.
http://www.vodafone.de/business/support/37780.html

I successfully managed to install, connect and use a UK Vodafone Mobile Connect 3G Datacard in a G4 PowerBook using the Vodafone Germany software, from this website, I managed to use the card successfully to connect to the internet via GPRS and 3G.

The software (which is based on the Nova Media UMTS software (which retails for 91 Euro) installed relatively easily, all the instructions are in English as is the accompanying installation PDF.

One problem, even though the volume was off, the card seems to play merry havoc with the speakers on the PowerBook causing static or interference through the speakers. This means that the card is pretty unusable in "quiet" situations. This problem is resolved if you use the external aerial that Vodafone provide.

Does anyone from ZDnet actually read these additions?

via Facebook 8 September, 2004 07:17
Reply

I've also been using the Orange 3G card (having been given the runaround by Vodafone ) very successfully using the Novamedia software to connect so Vodafone is not the only supplier! It may be the only one that offers Mac support but as I said the Novamedia software is so good support is not an issue.

via Facebook 20 September, 2004 15:43
Reply

Hi, I have tried to find the dirvers on the Vodafone German site that you mention but have been unable to.

I have a 3g card that works in my laptop, but I am moving to a powerbook and can't figure out how to make the thing work.

Can you provide me with any more information please?

via Facebook 27 October, 2004 22:56
Reply

Nice article but gives us absolutely no information about the cards i.e. model numbers. Imagine walking into the shop and asking for the Mac compatible vodacom card.

Response = "Huh?"

via Facebook 4 June, 2005 07:33
Reply

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