I like to point out that there is already a few networks around offering HSDPA ( signal in major cities only for the moment) http://www.3gamericas.org/pdfs/hsdpafactsheet.pdf I will be happy to find out from you what kind HSDPA phones and modem cards are available in you country at which cost. Here in Czech Republic there is only Eurotel offering HUAWEI E620 modem card at Euro 240 - if you sign up 2 years contract to spend on all Eurotel services including SMS and calls at least Euro 68 a month. Price will drop than to Euro 68. There are a few options in between. Link is here. 1 Euro is about 28 Czech Koruna http://www.eurotel.cz/jnp/en/phones/mobile...tml?phoneId=404

benq-siemens something.. from may 2006. free on contract as usual

3 in Italy is selling a PCMCIA card but I don't know the model yet. There is coverage in Rome only by now.

Hsdpa Coverage & Devices
 

The PCMCIA cards are appearing on UK Ebay at reasonable prices(~£30), although all appear to be supplier-specific = Vodafone, Orange, etc. See:

http://computers.listings.ebay.co.uk...istingItemList

How difficult would it be to buy a pre-paid PAYG card to run in one of these
for use as a laptop modem, please? I would hope to use it for WEB access, only for a week or two per year in France on holiday.

I can see activation being a problem from a laptop?

Any ideas/experience/stories of failures?
Cheers,
roj