Developer

Hong Kong's PCCW wireless services for computers is a pleasure to use; after you got it all set up. Supporting and automatically switching between WiFi, HSPA and 3G, a speedy connection is assured at almost any spot, from country to beach sites thanks to their "Auto Network Selector" USB stick.

The stick's features are impressive and make it ready to take on travels assuming one can get an appropriate SIM card for data transfers at the destination. Besides MicroSD (up to 8 GB) memory card slot, it is compatible with networks HSUPA/HSDPA/UMTS 900/2100 MHz, EDGE/GPRS/GSM 850/900/1800/1900 Mhz. That should cover about all network covered places.

The messages below are Twitter messages I tweeted during setup.

• Picked up Netvigator WiFi/HSPA/3G USB stick today. I thought it has 8GB memory *included*, not just the slot for such memory card. Pfff.. :(
• Connecting PCCW's "Auto Network Selector" to PC for 1st time, it detects a Huawei Mobile, some Sierra WiFi device and more. Takes forever :(
• After more than 10mins, I finally have to reboot. Let's see what happens after that and if I manage to get online. I have some bad feelings.
• After reboot, Netvigator Everywhere stick installed devices again at least twice (by counting the popups). 3G works faster than my Lux DSL..
• It's scary to see the 3G data counter. Thinking about 3's 100MB offer, I'm overwhelmed with disbelief. Although they have an unlimited plan.
• However, the Netvigator USB stick does interfere with laptop's internal WiFi which smartly disables itself for duration of stick's activity.
• Conclusion: use hassle-free internal WiFi when stationary at a PCCW WiFi hotspot, force 3G (disable auto-mode) for on-the-go or weak signal.
• PCCW WiFi is something for people with lots of time & patience. Sitting right above access point, it took 3 connection attempts: low speed..
• To conclude my PCCW WiFi quest: I'll only use it on mobile if right next to a booth. The same applies to laptop use. Otherwise it's 2G & 3G.

Hong Kong's PCCW WiFi proves to be more pain than gain despite being a great service when it works. Below is my quest to get the service back to functioning on my HP iPAQ HW6965 mobile, running Windows Mobile 5 (WM5).

The messages below are Twitter messages I tweeted during setup. 

• @dda Re "PCCW WiFi login": they must have changed more to it (invisible) as recently WM5 IE fails it too and Opera most of the time as well.
• @dda No problem using a Windows computer either. But I've failed with all apps on both WM5 & WM6 (I usually do *not* carry around a laptop).
• @dda I will try that on a mobile this noon: RT @waishinglee: New PCCW Wi-Fi login page! Now there's an actual portal. And timer (...)
• Applied for 110HKD (98+12) unlimited 2G & WiFi plan at People (China Mobile). It's only monthly based, great as no 3G so can switch anytime.
• I tried the PCCW WiFi login from my WM5 mobile: it's still the same. No optical nor functional change & still giving cryptic error messages.
• @waishinglee Re "PCCW WiFi Connection Manager": I'll try tonight. Last time WM5 was not available so just used browser login until fail now.
• PCCW WiFi's connection manager for WM5 works fine.. except for it deleted all my previously saved network connections (about a dozen). Sigh.
• PCCW WiFi is something for people with lots of time & patience. Sitting right above access point, it took 3 connection attempts: low speed..
• To conclude my PCCW WiFi quest: I'll only use it on mobile if right next to a booth. The same applies to laptop use. Otherwise it's 2G & 3G.