Mobile Broadband is not Real Broadband

While waiting for my broadband connection with the illusive Sky, I explored the options of using these very clever USB Mobile Broadband sticks that all of the Long Distance carriers have. My coworker Paul, who is also over here from the States, lent me his O2 stick to try out, but I couldn't get it to work on my home 64-bit system. I looked at the packaging, and it said that it only works with 32 bit. I promptly went out and purchased a T-Mobile stick that was allegedly compatible with my 64 bit system.

I have no idea what 64 bit systems running Windows XP that they supposedly got their stick to work on, but it wouldn't run on mine. I tried everything. I even spoke to their paid support staff. Yes, they charge by the minute to help you to get their product to work. NO DICE! The driver that comes with the stick does not work with 64 bit computers no matter what they say. And don't bother trying to get people in the stores to help you either. Everything you've heard about customer service in the UK is true. . .

My solution - buy a new 32-bit Toshiba Net book running Windows XP. And it is the cutest little Netbook, I've ever seen. Even better, it has a near full size keyboard. And yes, the keyboard is in british configuration. I figure if ever I return to the US, I have a really nifty souvenier to remember this crazy broadband odyssey.

So at last I have broadband. I can reach the internet with my T-mobile stick. . . I can see google, I can get my email on aol.
However, evil T-mobile blocks Skype!!!! NOOOOOOOO!!!! They of course don't want you to use Skype, they want you to use their own long distance service so why would they let you access the Skype Website. . .

I hate T-Mobile. My solution. I went to 3(Three), the Irish Long Distance carrier(yes, you see this coming) and bought another USB Mobile Modem. Will it ever end. . . will Kevin be able to see his family. . . Tony. . . his dogs again . . . or at least without waiting another 3 weeks. . .

Thankfully, 3 allows you to use Skype in conjunction with their stick. It was a happy day when I finally got to see my family and friends back home. I spoke with my friend Pete, and he looked half asleep - of course it was midnight. I hauled my cute little netbook into work, and Tony and I had a very nice conversation, and I g0t to see my dogs. I don't think they understand the image on the computer, but they did recognize my voice when I called their names.

But Mobile Broadband is not real Broadband. It wasn't until I went to the Internet cafe up the way and used their genuine wireless broadband that I got to see and hear people in some semblance of non-staccato clarity. I had a lovely visit with my parents and Tony, and it was fun to aim the camera on the netbook at a passing double decker bus, just to prove that I was in fact in London. Of course I need only tell you the effort it took (2 computers, 3 Mobile Broadband Sticks, innumerable trips to the long distance stores, IN THE RAIN!) to get the modicum of broadband that I have and you know that I am in London. . .

Waiting and Waiting, and Waiting. . .

So I signed up for Skype while back in the states as the solution to my connectivity issues after I moved to the UK. After finding an apartment, I signed up for Utilities and Water service, and each took about a 5-10 minute conversation on the phone to set them up.

TV, Phone, and Broadband for some reason, though it is all the same vendor, Sky, took about a 40 minute conversation. During my conversation with the Sky salesman, despite having done my research and knowing that their service was what I wanted, tried to convince me that I really should go with Virgin. Am I insane? Or was this salesman for Sky just out of the mental hospital. After finally convincing him that I really wanted to buy his company's services, he asked me when I would like to have them come to set it all up? I of course in my pragmatic American way told him that today would be perfect for me. If not today, what about tomorrow, Sunday. he then informed me that the earliest they could come to install my Sky TV, Broadband, and Phone Service was 3 weeks later. I quickly told him that that day would have to do then.

Again, am I crazy, or have I just solved the unemployment problems in the UK. With demand for Sky's services so high that I am having to wait 3 weeks to get it set up, it seems only natural that Sky hire more people to meet their high demand. As it was quickly pointed out to me, this is not America, this is Britain, and in the UK, cueing is considered good form. Well thankfully, my 3 weeks of being separated from the world is coming to an end.