Vodafone mobile broadband

Vodafone overview

Good range of pay monthly mobile broadband packages from short 1 or 6 months, to the usual 12 - 24 months, plus 'free' laptop deals
PAYG product has data top ups which don't expire within a 30-day period, unlike some of the other PAYG deals around (although you will loose your credit if you don't use your account for 270 days; you can ask for your account credit to be re-activated if you don't use it for 180 days).
Vodafone's new "flat rate, never pay more than' mobile broadband plan means you won't ever pay more than the fixed monthly fee - there are no excess charges. There is a fair usage limit of 5GB, but Vodafone say they will not cap/disconnect you if you go over this - if 5GB is exceeded repeatedly, they'll contact you to find a more appropriate plan)

Currently showing the top 3 of 12 results show all»

Best selling Vodafone mobile broadband deals

Hardware	Price/mth	Speed(Up to)	Downloads(limit)	Contract
Laptop info»	£30.00 + VAT	7.2Mb	UNLIMITED	24 months	Go
Laptop info»	£25.53 + VAT	7.2Mb	3 GBper month	24 months	Go
Laptop info»	£30.00 + VAT	7.2Mb	UNLIMITED	24 months	Go

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Vodafone road test

Vodafone Road test

Downloads: 4 stars
Uploads: 5 stars
Most stable: 3 stars
Coverage: 5 stars
Feelgood factor: 3 stars
Dongle software: 3 stars
Overall rating: 4 stars

May 2009

Vodafone supplied us with the Huawei E172, notable for having a piece of string 'handily' attached to the cap. Attaching it the other end would seem far more sensible, as has been proven by the two we've had both having the string rendered useless by coming away from the cap, so that it just gets in the way. A nice idea, but badly executed. However, style aside, with Voda confidently advertising speeds of up to 7.2Mb, the quickest on the market at this time, we were expecting fireworks on our road trip.

When inserted into a laptop USB slot, the E172's software runs without any fuss and we were ready to get surfing within a couple of minutes. However, on subsequent uses it seemed a little temperamental to start up and had to be run by double-clicking the icon via 'my computer' – it didn't appear in the start menu either, or place a desktop icon, unlike the others we used.

Once you've got the user interface up and running, the software isn't the best on show either; we much preferred the software from T-Mobile, Virgin Media and Orange. For example, the front page wasted about 50 per cent of the available space with, well, nothing – just a big blank space. This area is used for a snazzy graph by Virgin Media and T-Mobile, who also do a much better job of displaying speeds and usage. The 'view usage' tab is nice though, letting you set your own limits by time or volume.

Overall analysis of the Mobile Broadband Genie Road Trip 2009

by Chris Marling May 2009

About Vodafone

When it comes to standing the test of time, Vodafone wins hands down. It has been in the mobile business since the start and the same goes for 3G mobile broadband: it has a good name across the board, from reliability to service, and much like its branding it relies on reputation rather than flashy bells and whistles. Vodafone claims the fastest 'up to' mobile internet speed currently available in the UK, at 7.2Mb, although we haven't noticed it performing noticeably better than any other mobile broadband products we've tested. It is also pretty much the only choice right now for overseas mobile broadband data deals, although it is still expensive.

Vodafone is the only British owned mobile broadband UK network: it has operations in more than 20 countries and is in fact the biggest mobile network company in the world (by turnover). Launched in 1985, it was one of the UK's original two mobile networks (alongside BT Cellnet, now O2). Vodafone helped pioneered mobile broadband, launching mobile broadband for business customers in 2004 and for consumers shortly afterwards. October 2008 saw the first of its so-called 'free' laptop deals, throwing in a Dell laptop and dongle on a long term mobile internet contract. It launched 'top up and go' in December 2008 - the first UK pay as you go mobile broadband service where top-ups do not expire (well, not for 270 days anyway, which is certainly better than the normal 30 days).

Vodafone announced a network infrastructure collaboration with O2 in March 2009 - the biggest deal of its kind in the world to date. The two mobile internet providers will build future mobile sites together, as well as merging existing ones, aiming to improve coverage, future-proof their network and of course cut costs.

Vodafone customer reviews

Show all 141 Vodafone Mobile Broadband reviews»

by Stellauk2010 | registered | 1 post
at 14:18 on 8 Feb 2010

WARNING - do not purchase VODAFONE mobile broadband. It does not work. You will still be charged even when you cancel the contract. They never reply to correspondence in the post. Email replies contradict each other. When I purchased their equipment I was told I could upgrade to any package at any time. When I tried to upgrade they rejected. Then were extremely rude and infact indirectly called me a liar. Now they are chasing me for payment when in fact I terminated the contract. Report abuse

by James
at 02:45 on 8 Feb 2010

Whatever you do... Don't get a Vodafone PAYG mobile dongle if you want to try it... If you expect to be treated with any respect once the shop assistant has your money...
Where do I start - 13 days ago, I have many months with 3 decided to try Vodafone, 1st 10 days I got a consistant poor but usable connection on Voda's 3G+ network. After 6 months plus with 3 lets say I am patient... Then on Friday it all starts to go wrong - 3G+ turns into 3G and GPRS (Speeds on under 30Kbps at best) gave it a couple of days trying at different times... Nothing...
Sunday decided rather than spend hours on my o2 phoen getting charged arm and leg, I'd jump on the bus and go to the shop I bought it from... Briggate, Leeds... Had it all with me, receipt, box, cable etc... Asked the former McD's staff behind the counter if there was any problems, told no (from what forum told her), couldn't get thru to customer services, so told her I wanted refund... (13 days in to 14 day cooling off period)
Off she goes to manager - out comes the rudest ignorant woman that I have ever had the mispleasure of meeting - according to her its a 7 day cooling off period?? Asked for where it said that - online (can you see a problem?), didn't have any terms in shop (or in the box with instructions), accused of using all the credit (preloaded credit converted once you go online still had over 1/2 left), was told it had worked so that was that (even though it now doesn't), told I was trying it on... I could complain but she didn't care...
this woman if she was manager deserves to be sacked - no customer service skills and i won't be using vodafone again...

do not buy anything from voda - their staff are rude and ignorant and there customer services are just as bad... Report abuse

by Cheryl
at 09:25 on 28 Jan 2010

With vodaphone mobile broadband, said 7.2mbps but mostly get 2G connection at 1mbps. No help at all from rude technical staff asking me to go into Vodaphone shop. Vodaphone shop is in Southampton, I live in Portsmouth!

tarriff is 18mth contract 3GB limit at £15/mth. got charged for excess use in the last two months, no contact from the company, and no better tarriff available for my usage. The programme does not load with a usage checker on my Mac.

Customer service is appalling, unprofessional, and at best my 4 times speaking to them was like speaking to a brick wall in terms of negotiating. I am about to write a complaint letter via vodaphone's website 'contact us' link.

To me the better tarriff would be orange's 3GB for £15 with £20 one-off fee, unlimited usage from midnight til 9am. I am with orange for my mobile phone and am thoroughly happy with their service. Report abuse

by Senorita
at 23:06 on 9 Jan 2010

Please help!!!
Bought Vodafone mobile 3GB (with "Very Good" sited as the coverage for my postcode). I can only use this in one room whilst sitting in thw window sill - no where else in the house. I got it to use Skype video calling however after downloading skype, then a dozen unsuccessful attempts at connecting a call, then one successful video call for 60minutes I have used up 3/4 of my monthly allowance...
How can this be???
Also NOWHERE on Vodafone site does it give me charges per MB or GB I go over my limit - how can I budget for my bills?
They have offered to take cancel contract (purchased through "The Link" and not direct from Vodafone) but can't find anyone offering a free netbook/laptop with unlimited downloads... am I expecting too much??! Report abuse

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