Is that a dongle in your pocket? (T-Mobile web'n'walk Box Micro)

Member Name: pixis77

Product:	T-Mobile web'n'walk Box Micro
Date:	19/07/09 (213 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy set-up

Disadvantages: Sometimes poor speeds, unreliable, unlimited when actually LIMITED!

Dongle. What is the first thing you think of when you hear that word? Actually, perhaps let's not go there. Ha! A dongle, as far as I understand it, is a USB wireless modem, i.e. a modem you can stick into the side of your laptop or PC to connect to the internet via a mobile telephone connection. Sounds just lovely doesn't it? Well... it is... and it isn't.

I used the T-Mobile Web'n'walk USB modem over a period of one and a half years. I've had a mixed bag of experiences. At times, the dongle was a great comfort for me - I know that sounds ridiculous, but i'll expand later. Other times, I felt like poking my eyes out with a sharp pencil as a consequence of lag, and slow (and sometimes non-existent) connections. First, a closer look at the product.

It's a relatively small white oblong modem. No bells and whistles attached, and the general presentation is one of unglamness. However, I am not one to judge a dongle by its plastic casing. One must look at its most important qualities which are, in my opinion, speed and reliability. Anyway, before that, the dongle comes with a white USB cable and a disc containing a piece of software that will help you to use it. It is very, very easy to install, and on-screen instructions will prompt you to make all the right moves at the right time. A monkey could do it!

After installation, accessing the internet is easy via the Web'n'walk USB manager - this is the piece of software installed on your computer as mentioned previously. Here, you can also monitor your internet usage. I started off with a 3GB allowance, which is a fair amount. This is more than enough for someone who only uses the internet to browse. If you want to download movies or music, a larger allowance is recommended. I eventually moved onto 'Unlimited' allowance. And here is my first gripe. Although my package was labelled as 'Unlimited' internet usage, if you check out the fine print, you will see that T-Mobile operate a fair-usage policy. And in actual fact, my 'Unlimited' internet access was 15GB. I don't know how they get away with this, and if you look online, you will see numerous complaints about this policy in connection with T-Mobile. I left T-Mobile shortly after discovering this and I will from now on be reading fine print EVERYWHERE!!! I went over the 15GB allowance once, whereby T-Mobile reduced my internet speed. Not impressed by that move, particularly considering the fact that I was paying for 'Unlimited' internet time. The man I spoke with in customer service did not seem to understand the difference between limited and unlimited. I despaired!!!

The main problem with the dongle is that it fails to provide a consistent, reliable internet connection. Here's the deal. When I bought it, I was living on the fourth floor of a building right next to the BT Tower in London. I got a great signal and a great connection. When I visited home in Scotland, I got a crap signal and a poor connection. I then moved to south London and my signal was weak and at times non-existent. Another reason for me to get rid of the thing. My advice is to check that T-Mobile provides good coverage in your area before you buy. Otherwise you might be better off trying to access the internet via a tin can with a rope on the end of it!

It's not all bad though. The dongle is a very, very handy thing to have at times. At the beginning of the year, I spent around three weeks in hospital. Thankfully, the nurses were happy to let me bring my dongle into the ward. I was, however, on the ninth floor of a hospital building, therefore my signal was great... excellent signal, great connection. I dread to think how I would have coped if I had been in the basement, or even the first floor.

Overall... if you want to try out the T-Mobile Web'n'walk, make sure that they provide good coverage where you live. Don't be fooled by the 'Unlimited' allowance. Also, it's promoted as internet 'on the go'... however... the coverage varies so much in my experience that i'm not so sure this is an apt description... perhaps it should also be, internet 'on the go slow' or 'no go' at all. Personally, I wouldn't buy T-Mobile again (even though it kept me company in hospital!)... however, i'd be open to looking at alternatives!!!

Have fun with yer dongles!

Summary: In my opinion, maybe best to shop around elsewhere

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