Compare Vodafone Sure Signal vs. Orange UMA Boost Mobile Signal
Written on 3/12/2010 03:36:00 PM by poison_ivy
Ah yes, even though the UK leads the US in terms of 3G network, there are still some areas in the UK which gets blackspots--you know, those areas in your house or town where your mobile phone signal suddenly goes zilch. Now blackspots isn't really that much of a problem especially those of us who have landlines in our home but it does become an issue when you decide to go wireless, cut your landline connection and rely solely on your mobile phone to connect you to your friends and the rest of the world.
So how do you combat this problem? Enter Vodafone's Sure Signal and Orange's UMA technology to boost your mobile signal. Both services promises to increase your signal inside your home (where most of us experience blackspots). If you're just planning on cutting your landline and rely solely on either mobile networks you might ask, so which service can give me a better signal at home? Which can save me more in the long run? Let's find out.
As to the things needed
In order for Vodafone Sure Signal to work, you need three things: 1) the Vodafone Sure Signal Box, 2) a home broadband connection, and 3) a 3G enabled mobile phone. As for the Orange UMA you also need three things: 1) a UMA enabled mobile phone, 2) a home broadband connection, and 3) a WiFi Router.
As to cost
Both services need a home broadband connection so I'm not going to factor that in. The cost of a Vodafone Sure Signal varies. If you're already an existing customer with £25 a month price plan, you only have to pay a one time fee of £50. If not, it's a one time fee of £120 or £5 a month if you get it at a local Vodafone Store (source). You also need a 3G enabled mobile phone and the cheapest can be found for around £50. Orange's UMA is free provided you have a UMA enabled mobile phone. If you don't have one, the cost of a UMA-enabled mobile phone can range between £149 to £349.99 (if purchased with an Orange plan). You also need a wireless router or have a WiFi connection at home so if you don't have a WiFi Router, you need to purchase one.
Advantages / Disadvantages
The advantage of Orange's UMA technology is that it doesn't have a limit on how many users can use it at home. So long as all users have UMA enabled mobile phones, they can use the service all at the same time. With Vodafone Sure Signal, only four people can use it at the same time. However, the advantage of Vodafone Sure Signal is that you can use 3G services such as mobile broadband on your mobile phone. UMA, from my understanding, only routes normal GSM function over WiFi. Another advantage with Vodafone Sure Signal is that you have more mobile phones to choose from which can use this technology. There are far more choices of 3G enabled handsets compared with UMA mobile phones.
Conclusion
I think, in choosing which service best suits you, you need to answer this question: what are your needs? Do you just need to boost your mobile phone signal at home without the need for a 3G signal? Do you have a UMA enabled phone? If yes, then the easy choice is sign-up for Orange. On the other hand, if you need to have a 3G signal at home then the only choice is Vodafone's Sure Signal. If you're undecided and you just want to get the cheapest service, just look over my cost considerations and don't forget to take into consideration the current handset you have.
SIMILAR POSTS:
Compare HTC Legend vs. HTC Desire vs. Google Nexus One vs. Xperia X10
Compare Nokia N900 vs. Motorola Milestone
Compare LG Cookie vs. Orange Vegas
Samsung i900 vs. Omnia 2 vs. HTC Diamond2
Posted in
mobile,
Orange UMA,
technology,
UMA,
Vodafone Sure Signal
|
It's important to realise both services use mobile credit etc in the same way as a normal network connecton, even though it's via your broadband at home. Consider using your landline, VOIP via your computer or get a WiFi enabled phone and use VOIP on that. As these services give you a 3G connection you should should in many cases still be able to get a 2G signal for calls as coverage is much greater. However if you want to us 3G for web access then get a WiFi enabled phone and do it for free via your braodband connection.
"The advantage of Orange's UMA technology is that it doesn't have a limit on how many users can use it at home."
The limit is actually 4..
This is very informative but you say: "for the Orange UMA you also need three things: 1) a UMA enabled mobile phone, 2) a home broadband connection, and 3) a WiFi Router." My question (and please humour me if it is obvious to someone who knows) is, will Orange mobiles do this using any broadband connection and any WiFi Router or does this have to be exclusively on an Orange broadband connection, using an Orange Live Box ?
@ Richard. From my understanding, it could be any WiFi router and broadband connection. I understand that UMA is built into the specific handsets and all these handsets need to enable UMA is an internet connection.
I have absolutely no mobile signal at home and landline costs are so high to mobiles. What would be the best choice for me to make calls from home? I have broadband and a WiFi router, but my current mobile is not UMA enabled.
Also is it only Orange and T Mobile that use UMA technology?