We noticed some discussion on the "UKRiders" list about 3G USB internet connection on a server and, by coincidence, one of our volunteers, David Free, found a similar solution to a long-term problem resulting from use of aluminium phone cabling - rather than the usual copper. (There was a period when aluminium was popular but it doesn't support ADSL very well - if at all). I asked him how he overcame the "aluminium phone wires" problem and the advantages and disadvantages of 3G broadband and David replied:

My son told me 3G services were cheaper now, so I looked around the providers' websites followed by phone calls. I checked Vodafone but it did not offer guaranteed coverage of 3G in my post-code. I did not manage to get a clear answer as to whether Orange did provide coverage (they have since offered me a service for �12 a month!!). Carphone Warehouse were very off putting when I rang, after seeing on their website that they provided service. T-mobile's map looked as if they had coverage, and by telephone they said they had, so I contracted with them.

They supply a small device which plugs into a USB via a wire of about 1 metre, or a card for a laptop. Unfortunately I have not found a wireless network router into which their SIMcard or laptop card fits at less than about �200, so we have the USB device and move it from PC to PC as required.

You can cancel the contract if the coverage is not there when you try it - but I think you need to do so within two weeks.

It works at around 100kbps for 60% of the time and at 0.8 to 1.2Mbps for 40%. Not the 1.8Mbps offered! But my dial up was at 30kbps!

Cost is �20 a month for a 2 year contract - so it is expensive. However, I was paying �25 a month on pay as you go to Freeserve. I could have changed to a lot lower fixed monthly charge for dial-up - but I did not want to contract for an extended period as I was trying to get broadband.

More experiences on UKRiders - just type "3g" into the Archive search. It might be time for a Knowledgebase piece on fixed wireless? Meanwhile there's some general advice in "I can't get broadband!"

John Davies, Programme Director