View Full Version : Wireless broadband alternatives to Headland internet
Was looking at getting internet through the Headland Hotel but it seems pretty expensive (and talking to some colleagues they say it's pretty unreliable).
Anyone able to give some recommendations on providers that have good reception at the Headland (any with free USB modems and plans that don't cost the earth? there won't be huge amounts of data being transferred, probably only be used 10-12 days a month tops).
I know, use the internet, but searching telecoms sites in HK is a bit painful to be honest; they're not particularly clear.
Thanks in advance
spannersatcx
19th Sep 2009, 15:57
It's free in CX city!
4 driver
19th Sep 2009, 23:44
It's unbelievable that we don't have free wi-fi at our own crew hotel (which is at a remote airport location).
Mention this at every fleet forum and any other opportunity with hotel and CX management. You never know.....
AAIGUY
20th Sep 2009, 02:16
Get iPhone and use Internet tethering.
Tonto Kowalski
20th Sep 2009, 10:49
JSB
I went to 3 over in the terminal a couple of weeks ago and got one of their USB modems. Costs a couple of hundred bucks on a contract and then you pay HK$200 every month for all you can eat internet access. It works pretty well in the hotel, definately faster than what you get on the hotel wifi. Cheaper too!
Cheers,
TK
BusyB
20th Sep 2009, 11:14
I think 3 also do a pay as you go USB- it was about 1200HKD plus however much you want to use.:)
Loopdeloop
20th Sep 2009, 20:38
How the Headland get their BB internet is their problem. If it were any other hotel on the network you'd simply go in there and negotiate, they'd have to find a way of doing it more cheaply to keep our business - that's how the commercial world works today! And it's the hotel, not CX who have to respect their contract.
When I had some tech books, I used to keep them in my room and peruse them when on HKG layovers, particularly in the weeks running up to a line check or sim...they took the books away so I no longer do this. I then signed up for the internet in the Headland so I could update my online manuals regularly but I'm sick of being ripped off for this service so no longer do this either. Being a professional pilot I still manage to keep abreast of updates to manuals etc but not as thoroughly as I used to - who can sit at a computer reading a book for any length of time? Am I the only one?
PW wrote to NR last year on the subject, but I still find it unbelievable that in our own crew hotel here in Hong Kong we still don't have free internet access. That's progress for you.
Thanks guys,
Yeah, I think 3 may be the way to go.
Very insightful that DH believes that "I personally see a less demanding need as compared to other CX ports." How many 3-4 months courses are run in outports? And by removing the 365 day option, the pricing most definitely has NOT remained the same.
I guess I will vote with my feet and outsource myself; to Vodafone or 3.
Cheers guys,
JSB
fly123456
23rd Sep 2009, 13:14
What download/upload rate can you achieve with such 3 or vodafone USB subscription?
Tonto Kowalski
27th Sep 2009, 01:51
Only downloaded one file of any significant size so far but it ran at a steady 200Kb/s. Forget about downloading files through the hotel internet...barely faster than dial up.
Tonto, you with 3 or vodafone?
Tonto Kowalski
1st Oct 2009, 09:09
I'm with 3
Thanks Tonto, seems 3 might be the go.
jed_thrust
5th Oct 2009, 10:42
What is $28 per day?
About $10,000 per year is my guess.
Isn't the hotel plan (only) about $4000 per year?
:confused:
Anyone know if you can get a USB modem (say from the WanCh computer centre) and then use it with the 3 pay-as-you-go plan (i.e. $28 per day)?
hekokimushi
6th Oct 2009, 15:19
SmarTone-Vodafone Mobile Broadband - Price plans (http://www.smartone-vodafone.com/jsp/business/mobile_broadband/english/price.jsp)
try the above...
Loopdeloop
6th Oct 2009, 15:22
Jed
There's also a monthly cap. I can't remember the exact figure but it's about $350 I think.
If you go to the cap every month then you'd be paying marginally more than the hotel rate but I'd expect, as a based pilot, to spend about $100/month on the dongle which is less than half the price of the Hotel wifi rate.
Remember that the $28/day is also just a cap - you don't have to pay that much, depends on your usage....
hekokimushi, thanks for the link... no vodafone store at CKL is there? any in Tung Chung?
Mr. Bloggs
6th Oct 2009, 20:15
JSB has a point. Can we buy a second modem in Wan Chai and possibly share the plan with someone else?:8 squeek.
jed_thrust
9th Oct 2009, 07:50
Today I went to look at 3, PCCW and Vodaphone.
3 has turned out be the cheapest for me, because I am an existing 3 mobile customer.
There are two deals available: Baywatcher described the first; I subscribed to the second.
Free modem and no other up-front charges. 18 month contract; $98 per month minimum, which allows up to 50mb (not much I know). After that, it is a sliding scale up to a max of $188 per month for unlimited data.
So, best case scenario is going to be $98x12=$1176 per year. Worst case is $188x12=$2256 per year. To compare with Baywatcher's plan, if you only use your modem 10 days in the month, but lots of data, then the daily cost works out at $18.8.
The Headland works out at $3440 per year.
All modem plans have a $12 per month Government charge added to the prices - the Headland does not.
Sharing with just one other looks like a smart move...
Edited to answer Mr Bloggs: a second modem won't help bacause you would have to transfer the one SIM card: you would be better off leaving the modem in your mail box (or some other such "safe" place for your mate to pick up).
The 3 dongle wouldn't work on my Mac laptop (snow Leopard OSX) which is odd as I use a 3 dongle in the UK. Haven't tried the others yet. The 3 payg seemed to be the best deal.:bored:
hekokimushi
9th Oct 2009, 09:27
3 isn't the best service provider. voda certainly won't be the cheapest. but i find their service and coverage being one of the best in town.
Loopdeloop
9th Oct 2009, 15:57
BusyB
You probably need the other dongle. 3 have two types and only one works on a mac. They seemed pretty knowledgeable at the airport 3 shop.
Blogsey
9th Oct 2009, 23:40
Free modem and no other up-front charges. 18 month contract; $98 per month minimum, which allows up to 50mb (not much I know). After that, it is a sliding scale up to a max of $188 per month for unlimited data.
I thought I saw somewhere that the $188/mth plan is speed limited to 3mbps?
Also, does one require a HK credit card for the contract with 3, or can you direct debit a hsbc account?
jed_thrust
9th Oct 2009, 23:51
Not too sure about the credit card.
The Vodaphone $188 plan is limited in speed, but the 3 plan is a full 7.2.
Blogsey
12th Oct 2009, 09:38
Is it just me or is the network in the headland room particularly sh!thou$e at the moment. Constant "timed out's" for the last couple of weeks.......
JoeShmoe
13th Oct 2009, 00:08
All three networks (Voda, 3, PCCW) require a HK ID card to register for the 18-24 month plans. However 3 will allow it with a copy of passport and a refundable HK$3000 deposit.