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T-Mobile Web ’n’ Walk card
Price: £50 for card, plus monthly tariff

Features
Performance
Ease of use
Value for money
Overall

Reviewed By: Robert Irvine

This review updated: 08/06/2006
Featured in magazine:
Issue 137
Manufacturer Contacts:
Supplier: T-Mobile
Tel: 01707 315000
Web Address: www.t-mobile.co.uk


For all the buzz still surrounding Wi-Fi hotspots, most people have yet to try one, deterred by high connection costs or complicated configuration. T-Mobile has taken both these issues on board with its Web 'n' Walk data card, which aims to make accessing the net on the move as simple, affordable and fast as possible. For under £20 a month (less with a contract), you can connect your laptop to T-Mobile's upgraded 3G network, GPRS service or choose from more than 1,000 Wi-Fi hotspots.

Features
The most notable aspect of the Web 'n' Walk card is its versatile connectivity, with support for a wide variety of networking options both within the UK and abroad. Chief of these is compatibility with T-Mobile's HSDPA (high-speed download packet access) service, due to be launched later this year and promising a maximum mobile connection speed of 1.8Mbps. The card also comes with a 12-month Wi-Fi hotspot pass, giving you free access to T-Mobile's global Wi-Fi network and speeds of up to 54Mbps.

Performance
In terms of network connection, we experienced few problems with the Web 'n' Walk, which automatically detects the fastest option currently available to you and maintains it reliably. Web surfing and file-downloading are smooth and speedy, so you can generally do as you would do at home as you roam, but with a few notable exceptions we'll come to in a moment. Obviously you'll get the best results from a Wi-Fi hotspot, for which a handy locator is provided, but the arrival of the HSDPA network – described by some as 3G on steroids – will mean high-speed access in many more places.

Ease of use
Provided you follow the instructions carefully, especially the part about installing the software before inserting the card into your laptop, setting up the Web 'n' Walk is very straightforward. Operation is aided by the superbly-integrated Communication Centre, which covers everything from detecting networks and monitoring your usage to sending SMS messages and storing passwords.

Value for money
Although the Web 'n' Walk is much cheaper than similar cards from Vodafone, Orange and O2, the limits T-Mobile has imposed via its 'fair use policy' are likely to frustrate and baffle many users. Not only is there a 2GB monthly download limit, which can't be exceeded for more than two consecutive months in six, but instant messaging and VoIP software are forbidden completely. As these two massively popular technologies go hand-in-hand with high-speed mobile internet access, this restriction seems rather unfair.

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