Prices for 3G modems
without contract have dropped significantly in Germany in 2009. Especially those from Vodafone are very cheap. Allthough they are unlocked, the dashboard in German Vodafone sticks won't work on other networks than Vodafone's. So if you want to use a Vodafone modem on another network you either need to download an open dashboard software or replace the installation files in the flashmemory of your Vodafone modem (= so-called
"debranding"), so there will always be an open dashboard on your modem.
Note, that Vodafone modems in other countries come with real SIM- or netlocks and so can't be used on other networks after a debranding.Vodafone USB modems are unlocked and come with a prepaid Vodafone WebSessions SIM.
(Huawei E160X)
frequency bands:
GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS 900, 2100
pros:
contras:
- only 3,6 MBit/s downlink
- no HSUPA support
- no voice-call functionality
offers
- from ~€ 25 incl. shipping at eBay.de watch out for "K3565-H" or "Huawei" in description, since there's also the K3565-Z from ZTE, which can't be debranded that easy.
- € 29,50 incl. shipping at deltatecc (accepts PayPal and ships to Western Europe for € 15)
- € 29,90 at The Phone House shops (shop finder at bottom of this page), stock varies! may sell other models (Huawei E169, K3715 or E172 for the same price!)
- € 29,90 at MediaMarkt
- € 32,90 incl. shipping from logitel
(produced by ZTE)
frequency bands:
GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS 900, 2100
pros:
contras:
- only 3,6 MBit/s downlink
- complicated debranding
- ZTE dashboard software inferior to Huawei's "Mobile Partner"
- no HSUPA support
- no antenna connector
- voice-call functionality - but currently no dashboard is using it
offers
- from ~€ 19 incl. shipping at eBay.de watch out for "K3565-Z" or "ZTE" in description, since there's also the K3565-H from Huawei
- € 29,90 at Vodafone shops
(Huawei E169)
frequency bands:
GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS 900, 2100
pros:
contras:
offers
- € 29,90 at The Phone House shops (shop finder at bottom of this page), stock varies! may sell other models (Huawei E160X, K3715 or E172 for the same price!)
- from ~€ 40 incl. shipping at eBay.de
- € 42 incl. shipping from Handybund.de (offered on a German forum)
(Huawei K3715, similar to Huawei E230)
frequency bands:
GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS 900, 2100
pros:
contras:
offers
- € 29,90 at The Phone House shops (shop finder at bottom of this page), stock varies! may sell other models (Huawei E160X, K3715 or E172 for the same price!)
- from ~€ 60 incl. shipping at eBay.de
(Huawei E172)
frequency bands:
GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS 850, 1900, 2100
pros:
contras:
- no antenna connector
- no voice-call functionality
offers
- € 29,90 at The Phone House shops (shop finder at bottom of this page), stock varies! may sell other models (Huawei E160X, K3715 or E172 for the same price!)
- from ~70 incl. shipping at eBay.de
T-Mobile Web'n'Walk Stick IV (Huawei E176)
frequency bands:
GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS 850, 1900, 2100
pros:
contras:
- no voice-call functionality
offers
Aldi MEDIONmobile WEB STICK S4011 (Huawei E160)
frequency bands:
GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS 850, 1900, 2100
pros:
contras:
- only 3,6 MBit/s downlink
- no HSUPA support
- no voice-call functionality
offers
- € 59,99 at Aldi supermarkets
Tchibo Internet Stick (Huawei E160)
frequency bands:
GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900
UMTS 850, 1900, 2100
pros:
- available in local Tchibo shops (more than 1000 throughout Germany)
- includes Tchibo SIM with attractive data tariffs
- easy debranding by simple update
- accessible antenna connector
contras:
- netlocked
- only 3,6 MBit/s downlink
- no HSUPA support
- no voice-call functionality
offers
- € 49,95 in local Tchbio shops and online