I had a broadband dilemma a while ago. My dad needed broadband. So we were already to go ADSL, but the house has a back to base alarm. This meant that the alarm is wired into the phone line for emergencies and required the security company to add in a splitter. Let’s face it, that security company could charge whatever they want to install a simple $20 device.

Second option was cable. But Telstra is prohibitively expensive and that too would’ve required either a cable to be run up the house or a wireless network. Either way, it wasn’t a serious option for us.

That’s when we found 3 with their Wi-Fi USB modem deal. For all intents it’s a mobile phone without a speaker and a keypad. You buy the modem with a garden variety sim card. Once you set it up, you’re basically on the 3G network.

As soon as we plugged it in, download speeds were pretty average. It takes a day or so to hit HSDPA speeds, which are basically the same as 1.5 DSL. But once you’re there, it’s pretty fast.

So how fast is it? Well this one is installed in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs, near the Dandenongs, and it’s reasonable. Downloads will stay around 45K on the 3G network and way above 100K when in HDSPA mode.  HSDPA mode seems to be a bit intermittent though.

One big tip we’ve discovered is to improve reception, get yourself a 5 metre USB extension lead. No this won’t act as an antenna, but mounting your USB modem as close to the ceiling (and a window) as possible greatly reduces interference, thus greatly improving speed and reliability.

So far so good. Yes the device is mobile, but more importantly it could save you a few hundred bucks in installation, even if you never use it on the road. An option worth thinking about.