This week we’ve introduced a brand new product to our broadband range. It’s the first time it’s been launched in the UK, and it’s designed for the significant chunk of the population, especially renters and students, that have told us they want Wi-Fi at home, just without the phone line and the lengthy contract.
So we’ve designed Web Cube, and it’s something that we’re really excited about.
The Web Cube’s Wi-Fi signal is powered by our 3G network, so it comes ready-to-go with a mobile broadband SIM card. It’s really easy to set up – just plug it in, turn it on and connect using the name and password supplied in the box. You don’t need a phone line to get going, as long as it’s plugged into the mains and your SIM is inserted, our network will do the rest.
The Web Cube is HSPA+ enabled to the 21.1Mbps technical standard, to deliver typical download speeds of 2-5Mbps, comparable to those of entry-level fixed-line broadband solutions, with the potential to reach a maximum download speed in excess of 10Mbps. Up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices can be connected at any one time, including smartphones, laptops and tablets, and it has a range of up to 30 metres.
Because the Web Cube is brand new to the UK, before we take it nationwide we’ve chosen to launch in a few key cities first. We want to test the market, so we’ve gone to Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh, some of our most successful areas for Mobile Broadband, to kick things off.
We hope to be able to roll-out Web Cube nationwide very soon, so if you’re not in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Leeds but you’re still interested, you can register your details online and we’ll be in touch when we have more information.
In the meantime, if you manage to get your hands on one, or if you know someone who has one, we’d love to hear your feedback.
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@Emma – It’s best to pop into your local Three store to inquire about the Webcube. If you don’t have any luck there, give 0843 373 3333 a call.
I live in Glasgow, but the 3 website still says this is unavaliable to me. Why is this? I thouight it was being trialed in Glasgow. Any Idea when its going to be on general sale?
@Jemma – Hi there, the speed really depends on your area and how many users are using the services etc. There’s no 1 size fits all I’m afraid. The device is capable of HSPA+ enabled to the 21.1Mbps technical standard. It can deliver typical download speeds of 2-5Mbps, comparable to those of entry-level fixed-line broadband solutions, with the potential to reach a maximum download speed in excess of 10Mbps.
Can I ask what the speed is on this thing?
@Leith – I’m afraid we don’t have a date for its general release yet.
Any news on when this will be available nationwide?
@Chris – Whilst there are no plans at the moment to increase the allowance over 15GB we continuously revisit our price plans and offerings whilst feeding back on customer suggestions.
I agree with several other comments here. If you are really serious about competing with the home broadband market (as the R & D and Marketing costs associated with such a product as this would suggest) then you really need to look at raising the data limit from 15gb to something a little bit more usable, after all this is 2012 guys, not 1912 and I know its Jolly olde Victorian England, but 15gb belongs in the dial up days!. The majority of basic ‘free for 6 months deals’ on landline all offer much attractive deals over 15gb mobile broadband, and a little invention called cashback often brings that 6 month free landline broadband deal to 12 months, which makes paying for a landline even more attractive. Yes, it looks a nice ornament, but most people can do the math, and can figure out they are much better off with what they have.connected to the wall!, even if its only to get their ‘free’ 12 months deal.
@Phil – the only real difference between the two is that the Web Cube has an ethernet port. Both units will offer the same coverage. I’m afraid there’s no plans for offering a higher package than 15GB at the moment.
I currently use the Mi-Fi unit at home as i don’t want a phone line, what does this web cube offer that I don’t already get throught your Mi-Fi units?
Also will you ever offer more than 15GB data usage?
Great idea indeed. Although 15 GB might not be enough for some people like me. Hope you guys look on that.
Thanks
With most smart phones now featuring mobile hot spot capability, what would be the advantage of thiis – I would assume it’s more powerful?
im in a rental. this would be great i would like to get it as im in glasgow. would it be any good for xbox gaming? with the usage etc
On the Dovado 4gr you have a USB socket to plug in your existing mobile broadband dongle. This then acts as a mifi in effect, thus not allowing phone functionality, but does allow simple SMS functions. There are some great features built in that some well known routers do not, and is ready for 4G when available, the real 4G that is. Sadly I too would love something like a router with phone functions that would register as a mobile phone with tethering active cos I could stick a one plan Sim in there and have a real bt killer! The only issue I have with it its that I can’t use the latest firmware cos it keeps dying on me.
Can I connect 3G wifi mobile broadband through my Dovado 4GR router to enable phone connection?
Although this product is fantastic and exactly what I personally need (I’m forced to use a Dovado 4gr with my Premium dongle) It misses one crucial element to all home networking requirements. The lack of Ethernet port greatly restricts it’s usefulness within a home environment. The reason being that in a normal situation a router would take care of all LAN traffic and allow such activity as media streaming, network attached storage and printer sharing, to name but a few. However only allowing devices within a home network to access WAN traffic, means that other expensive equipment is then required with complicated set ups ie a network bridge that acts as a wifi repeater and local area network router. Having an Ethernet socket on the device would allows users to use their current cable modems to relay the WAN traffic from the cube as well as LAN traffic. Thus allowing local media streaming, NAS access and network printing. Basic requirements today! The ZTE with it’s twin Ethernet sockets, and USB dongle socket is perfect for this, acting as an internet gateway for a home network router while having the flex ability of a portable internet device when required. By all mean push the Web Cube, enhance it, build on the idea, but for god’s sake push the ZTE MF10 as much also. Allow us to purchase it online, without having to face the awful experience of using the local 3 store.
With regards to the data caps, I fully understand. Imagine if your local area was filled with these things, everyone gong about their daily internet lives. Using several devices all at once, playstationsin the kids room, dad downloading files in the study, mum on Iplayer, add to that all the super phones with their YouTube and I player etc before long the network would buckle. The result… everyone hates three, the innovaters become victims of their own inventions. Three may have been designed for the web, but not designed to be a replacement for virgin fibre optic etc They are a cracking mobile broadband company provided you’re covered by their ever expanding network. Just remember you can all drink from the river but if we all drink at once the river will turn into a stream. It’s only the same as being on a genuine fixed line connection and having 20 people all playing Call of Duty at the same time on a 8mb connection. Great for one person, not so great for 20. As time goes by things will change, the backbone supporting the network will get faster, signals stronger and reach further. Until then pay for two contracts get double allowance, I’m sure three would love you for it. Capping you to 15gb works wonders for making people aware of how much they’re ‘drinking’ which in turn works wonders for ensuring people on the whole get a better experience.
@Karl Hobson – Thanks for sharing your thoughts, we’re gathering all feedback at the mo.
Hi guys …nice idea but is this not just a mains powered MiFi surely provision for an external antenna would be nice although difficult at the frequency you use due to signal loss in the cable run.
So an outdoor unit that can be powered via ethernet and plugged into a wireless router would be very appealing to lots of your users that get good outdoor but poor indoor coverage……Just a thought, Regards Karl
Great idea but how about spending a little extra so that I can get a constant signal at home. Up to about a year ago it was weak but there. Now it is non exsistant, So how about getting the signal coverage up before spending money on ideas than wont work if you cant get a signal at home.
@Gavin – No it doesn’t I’m afraid… We’re getting amazing reviews back from the guys that have trialled it so far.
Does this have an Ethernet port? I know most things are wireless these days, but I’m sure it wouldn’t cost much to add it, and it would massively boost the appeal in my eyes.
Yes, there are ’3G Routers’ on the market, but I’ve never seen one with end-to-end support from the Network, so they tend to be unreliable and slow.
@Luke Stevens – There are currently no plans to offer all-you-can-eat data, but we believe our great value 10GB and 15GB tariffs offer plenty of data for the majority of our home users. If customers want to regularly stream TV and movies or do heavy downloads our service may not be right for them.
I think that traditional broadband providers start to look over their shoulders. This is just the first stage, image if three offered this product for £15 per month with unlimited data, it becomes a serious competitor against ASDL.
18 months time when LTE is making its mark, products like this become a competitor to Cable Broadband.
Thats the real benefits of LTE, very few people need it on mobile handsets, HSPDA is fast enough for most people, but as a fixed line competitor it’s fantastic, reaching remote places that have no infrastructure.
It’s devices like the cube and mifi that are paving the way
Cheers
John M
From you research. Do you think 15GB is really enough for a few people in a month with a product like this? Have you guys found its not or is it actually ok? I mean for example on my home connection I sometimes use 300GB a month.
@RichB – I’m afraid the Web Cube does not have an ethernet connection. Sorry.
Yes- As others have said on here, if you can put AYCE on a phone, why on earth can’t you put it on a fixed-line replacement?
Does it have Ethernet sockets? If not, what’s the point? I can just plug a Mifi into a USB socket behind the TV and get the same effect.
Just got a Mifi on a rolling one month contract, and it looks very promising. Substantially faster than my ADSL as I am a long way from the exchange.
Would definitely be interested in one of these, but data limit will be an issue. Like others on here would pay more for a significantly higher data allowance.
Well done 3.
@IA – You can indeed but you will need to buy the Cube with data, and it is HSPA+ enabled too, so it should in theory have around the same speeds.
@Jason – We’ll need a full postcode, to check the network in your area please? We’re seeing lots of similar feedback re data limits on MBB, so thanks for sharing your thoughts.