3 launches capped mobile broadband deal

The company said the cap will apply to customers that use 3's NetConnect Card in the providers' "video zones", and offers users up to AU$500 worth of data a month at a rate of 0.1cents per KB for under AU$100.

Marketing general manager for 3, Peter Burr, said "the cap prevents cost blowouts and, with 3's download speeds of up to 384kbps [within 3 video zones], delivers mobile computing the way it should be", he said.

The NetConnect Card also provides users with a broadband Internet connection when inserted into a laptop in a 3 video zone, eliminating the need for hotspots and fixed line connections, 3 said.

3 said that customers can obtain a NetConnect Card and the mobile broadband cap by connecting to a 24 month plan with a minimum monthly spend of AU$49, or pay AU$25 per month over 24 months. Alternatively, they can pay AU$540 outright.

The NetConnect Card unites telecommunications, information, commerce and computing, said 3, and is designed to operate on 3G and GPRS networks throughout Australia.

The NetConnect Card can transfer IP packet data at download speeds of up to 384Kbps on the 3 network (within video zones) and up to 40 kbps roaming on GPRS (within 3's messaging zones), according to the release.