Which USB broadband dongle and data sim card are you using

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
11/03/2010 12:30

There has been a lot of interest in this topic but little firm information for use in TRNC.

If you use a USB broadband dongle, it would be good to hear:

1. Which area you are in

2. Which dongle and data sim card you use

3. A review of your experience - type of use e.g. emails, video download.



Many thanks

greenman

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
11/03/2010 12:33

My thanks to Hatty for this reply:



I have an unlocked Huawei E220 dongle (ex 3 mobile), it works with both Telsim and Turkcell data sim cards in the TRNC (I have had both), I see no reason why any other unlocked dongle would not work.







My preference is for Telsim because I think it is cheaper.







I cannot get 3G (blue light) in Bahceli (only 2g - green light) as yet, as the mast is not close enough, I can get 3G on the main road around Esentepe so the mast must be there somewhere and I am led to believe you can get 3G in Tatlisu - another mast. I am out next week so I will have a drive around and try and confirm. 2G is ok at my house for internet browsing and e-mails but it is a bit slow, I can use the text facility on skype with 2G but not the phone or video, I can use the video and phone when I am in a 3G area.







Both Tesim and Turkcell tell me they are planning additional masts so the coverage should get better, but this is the TRNC so I will not hold my breath

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
11/03/2010 16:29

Any other comments?

magalan


Joined: 17/01/2009
Posts: 227

Message Posted:
11/03/2010 17:03

We tried both Telsim and Turkcell 3G in Ilgaz - absolutely awful signal. Only 2g available, so was very slow for emails/surfing, and impossible for Skype. Switched to Extend, now much better.

booitsme


Joined: 04/02/2009
Posts: 667

Message Posted:
11/03/2010 17:53

We tried Turkcell in Tatlisu and couldn't even get edge but when we changed to Telsim we now get HSDPA most of the time but if the weather is particularly cloudy and close it reduces to 3G. Either way it is still a very speedy connection and downloads attachments to emails very quickly. Hope this helps.

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
11/03/2010 17:58

booits me, Very helpful. Could you let us know the USB dongle you are using - O2, 3, Vodaphone, Orange, Telsim, Turkcell or other. Thanks

Hatty


Joined: 13/07/2008
Posts: 260

Message Posted:
11/03/2010 20:04

booitsme I don't suppose you know where the Telsim mast is in Tatlisu do you?

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
14/03/2010 18:05

Stewart has confirmed that the O2 dongle (still on offer for £10 during March) is unlocked.

booitsme


Joined: 04/02/2009
Posts: 667

Message Posted:
14/03/2010 19:23

Greenman - we're using a Telsim dongle.



Hatty - I think the tower for Telsim is up in the mountains in the Getcikale gorge - if you know where Kibris Gardens is, if you stand with your back to the sea it is almost opposite up in the mountains! Hope that makes sense.



Still having a laugh about our neighbour who said the "little dongle" is useless but guess who's had full internet access while they've been off for 3 weeks I know it's not nice to gloat but I can't help it when the other person is so pompous!!!

cooper


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 3386

Message Posted:
14/03/2010 19:31

Well i to agree with booitsme, my "little dongle" is more that enough and im more than satisfied !!

bjrice


Joined: 08/04/2008
Posts: 53

Message Posted:
14/03/2010 20:15

can anyone tell me how much a telsim sim card is without buying the dongle

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
14/03/2010 20:42

You could try contacting telsim in Girne here:



Girne:

KESKİN GSM CENTER Canbulat Cad. No.21 / B. Tel: 8160001

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
14/03/2010 20:51

Or if your Turkish is up to it look here:



http://www.kktctelsim.com/?ver=00

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
15/03/2010 00:20

from bootsie earlier last week:

prices are:



Dongle - 139TL



500MG - 14.99



1GB - 24.99



3GB - 44.99



10GB - 89.99



15GB - 139.99



We got the 12 month 3GB last february and STILL have 16GB left so if you're only here for 3 weeks it may be worth considering the 50MB option.

greenman


Joined: 16/02/2008
Posts: 526

Message Posted:
04/04/2010 13:01

Posted by Stewart.

Perhaps you would like to share your experience of mobile broadband in the TRNC to help others.

Hi Greenman

Am now back..the dongle worked great..in esentepe...but..

1. bought from Turkcell

2. needed to take my laptop to them to set it up..one guy was an expert..did it in minutes..not straightforward

3. VERY expensive for the week...could only buy 4gb / month worth as a minimum...16ytl for the sim...60ytl ( minimum for the month...good value if you are using for a full month, so cost was 76ytl for a week!

4. Friday evening was VERY busy...soooo slow it stopped...could not use it for a coupple of hours.

all other times was great...skype worked perfectly as did recieving / sending emails...watching tv online was not bad either

5. easy to log on once set up

Hatty


Joined: 13/07/2008
Posts: 260

Message Posted:
04/04/2010 13:43

I went into Nethouse, (next to Mo's in Karakum), when I was out in March and had a chat with them, they told me they could install a wireless service at my house and they would be able to turn it on and off when I wanted, i.e. when we went back home to the UK. They said they have a number of customers who take out a 3 month service and make it last over a year. I think I might have this installed when I am next in the TRNC. Does anyone use this facility and if so how good is it and does it work?

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
04/04/2010 18:39

Hi hatty

What price was u quoted? from Nethouse



Anyone with an opinion about Nethouse re reliable? Price? etc



Is it wireless to the house or by phone line?

cmorris242


Joined: 01/06/2008
Posts: 3

Message Posted:
22/06/2010 11:35

Greenman.



I can confirm that there is a mast half way up the hill into Esentepe which is directly in sight line from my house. I need an internet connection in TRNC for my occasional visits and was thinking of a 3G dongle approach - do you have any advice that you could give me?