Earlier today I tried a TBB Android speed test on my new mobile. O2 connection, wavering between HSDPA+ and HSDPA. 3.03Mbps download and 2.17Mbps upload.

Don't want you to be accused of spamming but if I may ask what type of "new" mobile are you using?
I'm thinking of getting a tablet but don't know what is best for under 180 quid as the Apple products are well overpriced yet people are still willing to pay that sort of price despite moaning about recessions etc etc. agghh!!!

Bob

Hate to tell you but parts of the country can already buy 300 Mbps and 1000 Mbps connections

Probably a nexus 7 at that price point.

With tablets there are some cheap ones that are fine for a little facebook and twitter, but they are under powered CPU wise or have too short battery life.

In terms of mobile similar story really, Samsung Galaxy SII I have actually works pretty fast and outperforms a fair few tablets

Galaxy SIII. Big step up from a Nokia N900, and I thought that was good 2 years ago.

I refuse to have an iPhone with all Apple's lock-ins, and the only other spec that met my needs at that time was the Palm Pre. Which when I tried it in the shop was dreadful compared to the Nokia.

This beastie is great, now I've largely found out how to use a smartphone effectively. I find the screen-swivelling a bit laggy though, when you want it to, and a damn nuisance when it does it when not wanted. Probably me still getting used to it.

You know there's a Mobile Broadband forum here?

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

Then it's time Ofcom rearranged the market 1,2 and 3 pricing structure so that users who can get faster 21CN speeds pay more for it than those of us stuck with 20CN snail speeds.

All that would happen then is that users on BT Wholesale in 21CN areas would hop over to the likes of O2, Talktalk or Sky.

Thanks for your views MrS and RobertoS it's hard to know whether to upgrade a mobile PAYG or get a new 21CN type mobile or tablet when living out in the sticks with a 20CN exchange, although there is a BT wifi Hotspot 200yards away.

The sad thing is after spending x£ amounts on a tablet/laptop/netbook they seem to be redundant after 6 months when a new model comes forth!

I guess I'm a bit of a dinosaur in the 21st C

Bob

It doesn't stop doing what it did, that you were happy with, when a snazzier one comes along.

I get the feeling the "life-span" is around 18-24 months for worthwhile improvements, as opposed to marketing hype. Not too surprising, as that's the normal contract length.

I wanted out from the N900 early this year, and nearly went for an SII. But decided to wait, and I'm glad I did.

It looks like fast BB has become underpriced now that it has become available to the masses, looks like some big ISPs are willing to loss lead in order to get many new customers.

BB before Max etc used to be expensive for quite a small usage, although before Max BB was expensive when compared todays prices but at least it was really unlimited.

Bob

In reply to a post by Anonymous:

It looks like fast BB has become underpriced now that it has become available to the masses, looks like some big ISPs are willing to loss lead in order to get many new customers.

True enough. It's no surprise that you have to take line rental from Sky and Talktalk these days in order to get their broadband. More services, more revenue. They tend to only mildly undercut BT on line rental, meaning a fair amount of revenue for it.

BB before Max etc used to be expensive for quite a small usage, although before Max BB was expensive when compared todays prices but at least it was really unlimited.

But back then the traffic flowing in the pipes was much lower. However, BT have an unlimited package, unless you count p2p traffic management as "limited".