Q73: Internet Dongle Advice
Q73: We are thinking of switching from our ADSL internet service to a 'dongle'. Are dongles reliable in the Bodrum area, what are the costs and can anyone recommend good current deals?
A73.1: Whilst we have TTnet ADSL, we wanted a backup solution, and have done a little research on 3G dongles. The offerings from Avea and Turkcell are on a contract basis, and tie you in for a period (one for 1 year, 1 for 2 years) they give you access a download limit each month "use it or loose it" Vodafone on the other hand will do one on "pay as you go" basis, and whilst more costly per GB (35 TL for 1 GB approx) you can keep using your allocation until it is used up, then buy more units, which was what we needed for occasional use. It works very well here in Koyunbaba Koyu, signal strength excellent, speed adequate, and I think speeds will increase as technology develops. The other benefit is that we are assured the Vodafone "stick" is unlocked and should be usable with other providers' sim cards in UK and elsewhere, though we have not tested this yet. Total cost for stick, sim card and starter units was 250TL. Just like a new mobile phone sim, it takes 24 hours or so to activate your number and will not work until this happens. This came as a surprise to both us and the retailer in Yalikavak! Hope this is helpful. --Colin and Kathy
A73.2: I have a Turkcell dongle which I purchased in July at the start of the 3G introduction in Bodrum. The cost of the dongle was 299TL on "pay as you go" then its yours for ever, you can buy 2, 4, 6, 8GB add-on units. In my case 4GB, which I use mostly for skype (1hr = 250MB approx) 4GB is more that enough each month including surfing, emails as long as you don't download films or music. The cost of the top up is 44TL for 4GB or just top up to 4GB that can be as little as 20TL. If you go back to the UK you just buy a little credit to reactivate just like a phone when you come back. The reception inside a villa will only be 2G (sometimes a little slow) depending where you live, but is more than enough to connect to the internet then take outside and get 3G when the weather changes. Hope that answers the question, go to the Turkcell marina shop, Mat speaks very good English.
Editor: Internet dongles work via high-speed mobile phone networks. Currently, not all the networks have full "3G" coverage across all of the peninsula, and will only pick up a "2.75G, EDGE" connection. If speed is important to you, please check with the network you're considering whether the coverage in your area is "3G", or "2.75G (EDGE)".
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A73.1: Whilst we have TTnet ADSL, we wanted a backup solution, and have done a little research on 3G dongles. The offerings from Avea and Turkcell are on a contract basis, and tie you in for a period (one for 1 year, 1 for 2 years) they give you access a download limit each month "use it or loose it" Vodafone on the other hand will do one on "pay as you go" basis, and whilst more costly per GB (35 TL for 1 GB approx) you can keep using your allocation until it is used up, then buy more units, which was what we needed for occasional use. It works very well here in Koyunbaba Koyu, signal strength excellent, speed adequate, and I think speeds will increase as technology develops. The other benefit is that we are assured the Vodafone "stick" is unlocked and should be usable with other providers' sim cards in UK and elsewhere, though we have not tested this yet. Total cost for stick, sim card and starter units was 250TL. Just like a new mobile phone sim, it takes 24 hours or so to activate your number and will not work until this happens. This came as a surprise to both us and the retailer in Yalikavak! Hope this is helpful. --Colin and Kathy
A73.2: I have a Turkcell dongle which I purchased in July at the start of the 3G introduction in Bodrum. The cost of the dongle was 299TL on "pay as you go" then its yours for ever, you can buy 2, 4, 6, 8GB add-on units. In my case 4GB, which I use mostly for skype (1hr = 250MB approx) 4GB is more that enough each month including surfing, emails as long as you don't download films or music. The cost of the top up is 44TL for 4GB or just top up to 4GB that can be as little as 20TL. If you go back to the UK you just buy a little credit to reactivate just like a phone when you come back. The reception inside a villa will only be 2G (sometimes a little slow) depending where you live, but is more than enough to connect to the internet then take outside and get 3G when the weather changes. Hope that answers the question, go to the Turkcell marina shop, Mat speaks very good English.
Editor: Internet dongles work via high-speed mobile phone networks. Currently, not all the networks have full "3G" coverage across all of the peninsula, and will only pick up a "2.75G, EDGE" connection. If speed is important to you, please check with the network you're considering whether the coverage in your area is "3G", or "2.75G (EDGE)".
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