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All;
I'm trying to find a straight answer on US carrier support for the HD. So far; I've read that there is:
1)No support for the HD in the US
2)Support for GSM only in the US
3)Possible support for 3G depending on your area
4)Working 3G support in some areas
So; what's the deal here? Do we have a "CONFIRMED" working HD in the US? The questions I'd like to have answered in one thread if possible:
1)What carriers are people currently using SUCCESSFULLY with the HD?
1a)What area is that working in?
2)How is the internet speed on it?
2a)If 3G is working, what kind of speed differences are you seeing?
2b)If 3G is working, what area are you in that it works for you?
3)If it is working for you in any form; were custom ROMS needed; or any sort of hack short of plugging in your SIM card?
3a)If needed; links would be great!
4)Any reported and confirmed 'show-stopping' bugs / problems using the HD in the US.
5)Any items or information we need to be aware of when trying to purchase this phone for US use? (Don't buy from EU...don't buy from AUS, avoid certain model versions...etc?)
Answers so far ((so you don't have to go searching for them!))
1) T-Mobile & ATT
1a) Wisconsin -ATT | Chicago - ATT
2) Edge = ok
2a) No - Wisconsin, Chicago
2b)
3) No hacks needed - plug in SIM card, possibly might have to select network from list
3a)
4) Problems sending MMS on AT&T. 99% send then fail.
5)
I'm using T-Mobile in the US.
Didn't have to do ANYTHING special at all to get it running. Stuck in my tmobile sim, it asked which carrier I wanted to use (T-Mobile US or Tuyo or something like that). I selected tmobile and wala.
Don't know about 3G as I do not have a data plan right now (it's $25 / month and I have Wi-Fi 88% of the time).
Have flashed and hard-resetted many times since with no problems.
ONLY PROBLEM: MMS will not work. I have searched all over and made sure that I have all the correct settings. However it will not work no matter what I try. Sending usually makes it to 99% then fails. Sucks.
ismisunderstood said:
All;
I'm trying to find a straight answer on US carrier support for the HD. So far; I've read that there is:
1)No support for the HD in the US
2)Support for GSM only in the US
3)Possible support for 3G depending on your area
4)Working 3G support in some areas
So; what's the deal here? Do we have a "CONFIRMED" working HD in the US? The questions I'd like to have answered in one thread if possible:
1)What carriers are people currently using SUCCESSFULLY with the HD?
1a)What area is that working in?
2)How is the internet speed on it?
2a)If 3G is working, what kind of speed differences are you seeing?
2b)If 3G is working, what area are you in that it works for you?
3)If it is working for you in any form; were custom ROMS needed; or any sort of hack short of plugging in your SIM card?
3a)If needed; links would be great!
4)Any reported and confirmed 'show-stopping' bugs / problems using the HD in the US.
5)Any items or information we need to be aware of when trying to purchase this phone for US use? (Don't buy from EU...don't buy from AUS, avoid certain model versions...etc?)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The HD will work in the US on either T-Mobile or ATT.
I am using ATT in Wisconsin and can confirm the phone will not pick of 3G.
EDGE internet speeds are pretty good. I wouldn't go streaming youtube, however. Wifi is around in more places than you think...
I'm using the ROM that came on the phone. I popped in my ATT sim card and all the settings were detected and it worked in a matter of 30 seconds.
I am in Chicago area on AT&T and it works fine. No 3G data but edge is fine. I am streaming video using a slingbox and it works ok.
Hardice33 said:
The HD will work in the US on either T-Mobile or ATT.
I am using ATT in Wisconsin and can confirm the phone will not pick of 3G.
EDGE internet speeds are pretty good. I wouldn't go streaming youtube, however. Wifi is around in more places than you think...
I'm using the ROM that came on the phone. I popped in my ATT sim card and all the settings were detected and it worked in a matter of 30 seconds.
It's not the phone that won't pick up 3G but the lack of a network or cell masts transmitting a 3G/HSDPA signal. So people,lets not blame the phone if you subscribe to inadequate networks. 3G has been around for over 10 years. I can't believe americans still need a tutorial.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Canaan said:
It's not the phone that won't pick up 3G but the lack of a network or cell masts transmitting a 3G/HSDPA signal. So people,lets not blame the phone if you subscribe to inadequate networks. 3G has been around for over 10 years. I can't believe americans still need a tutorial.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it's both the phone and network's fault, the phone for not having UMTS 850, 1700, or 1900. And the networks for choosing those frequencies over umts 900 and 2100.
Canaan said:
Hardice33 said:
The HD will work in the US on either T-Mobile or ATT.
I am using ATT in Wisconsin and can confirm the phone will not pick of 3G.
EDGE internet speeds are pretty good. I wouldn't go streaming youtube, however. Wifi is around in more places than you think...
I'm using the ROM that came on the phone. I popped in my ATT sim card and all the settings were detected and it worked in a matter of 30 seconds.
It's not the phone that won't pick up 3G but the lack of a network or cell masts transmitting a 3G/HSDPA signal. So people,lets not blame the phone if you subscribe to inadequate networks. 3G has been around for over 10 years. I can't believe americans still need a tutorial.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, a little full of yourself there? It's not like I climbed towers and decided to put 850 bands in America.
I believe if I made a $750 purchase, I would know whether or not the phone was capable of picking up US 3G bands or not.
But I guess your right, I should move to Europe to take advantage of the "adequate" networks.
There is no need to be a jerk about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm using mine on ATT, use mostly wifi which has been good, EDGE is good the few times I've used it (based on what I've heard from people using 3G on other phones, it's not that much better than wifi, but I'm sure that's location dependent). I'm using it in NC and surrounding states, have only sent/received MMS a couple of times but haven't had any problems yet. Didn't have to do anything except insert the SIM and choose ATT. I haven't seen the 3G icon pop up so that means no 3G compatibility where I'm at.
TMobile USA is great
I am an airline pilot and use my HD nationwide and it works splendidly in every city I have been to. EDGE is much, much better than GPRS that I had on my Imate Jasjar (Universal) but I would agree that the only drawback is to streaming YouTube. YouTube on EDGE is functional but it uses the lower quality mode.
I am successfully using MMS on TMo here in the USA so any trouble with it might just be a setting that needs to be tweaked. Having had some trouble with that on my JasJar in the past I just set it up manually and did just that when I got the HD. I didn't even try the default MMS settings, just deleted them and put my own in that I knew worked.
As for 3G, didn't work on my JasJar and not on my HD but for me it turns out to not be a deal breaker at all. Having had four different WM devices over 6 years, the HD is blowing me away. I really love it's speed, screen and size. HTC did a really nice (not great) job with the TouchFlo UI and hope that a few updates will make it great. Now that I installed the new Resco Explorer (GSFinder before) I don't need to use the stylus at all! I like that the most.
For those of you in the USA, give TMobile a try. I don't think you would be unhappy with their service and pricing.
Regards,
Gordo
I'm using iWireless (Owned by Tmobile) in Iowa. No problems getting it to work like all the others here. I don't have a data plan, so haven't tested that out yet. And it's just commonly known that the HD doesn't support US 3G.
It supports 3G, but we cant use it because the antenna is set to receive 2100 and 900.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=450670&page=5
jim256 said:
I'm using T-Mobile in the US.
Didn't have to do ANYTHING special at all to get it running. Stuck in my tmobile sim, it asked which carrier I wanted to use (T-Mobile US or Tuyo or something like that). I selected tmobile and wala.
Don't know about 3G as I do not have a data plan right now (it's $25 / month and I have Wi-Fi 88% of the time).
Have flashed and hard-resetted many times since with no problems.
ONLY PROBLEM: MMS will not work. I have searched all over and made sure that I have all the correct settings. However it will not work no matter what I try. Sending usually makes it to 99% then fails. Sucks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You may need the data plan for MMS to work properly. I have T-mobile in the US and here is what I did. I signed up for their $9 amonth TZones (now web2go) package. Don't tell them you have a "smartphone" or else you will have to really fight to get it.
It is not great. You have a choice between 100 MB a month or 50 MB and tons of messaging. Since I mostly use WiFi the 50MB was enough.
If they tell you that the $9 plan won't work on their phone, don't fall for it. It will work on any phone.
Everdog said:
You may need the data plan for MMS to work properly. I have T-mobile in the US and here is what I did. I signed up for their $9 amonth TZones (now web2go) package. Don't tell them you have a "smartphone" or else you will have to really fight to get it.
It is not great. You have a choice between 100 MB a month or 50 MB and tons of messaging. Since I mostly use WiFi the 50MB was enough.
If they tell you that the $9 plan won't work on their phone, don't fall for it. It will work on any phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW. That is WAY great information to know. So the $9 / month T-Zones is REAL full data / internet browsing? Not some stupid V-Cast like thing?
I have been dying trying to figure out what to do...when I signed up I thought unlimited data was $6 / month (it was some web2go thing for $5.99), then I find out that they discontinued it right after I got my phone and it's now $25...ridiculous. So I have been wondering, should I:
A. Switch to ATT.
B. Have an HD w/ no internet plan.
C. Go back to my vogue on sprint evdo rev a fastest mobile internet in us.
Are you pretty positive about that then? I could sign up for that right now and get 50mb browsing full internet for $9 / month as long as I tell them that it isn't a smartphone?
THANK YOU SO MUCH. AWESOME information for my situation...
Jim.
Uhm... perhaps I am missing something obvious but.
If i go to phone, then select "Options", then select "Band".
I can choose between network type "GSM" or "WCDMA".
Also for GSM/UMTS band I can choose between:
1) UMTS(2100)+GSM(900+1800)
2) UMTS(850+1900)+GSM(850+1900)
3) UMTS(800+2100)
Does that option have no effect? or what?
Anyone have any ideas if the 3G will be worth it, there are some discouraging posts over at the notion ink blog, in the comments section, about the bandwidth limitations on the 3G models and them being selected for you, instead of allowing us to pick our own.
(I am one of the ones that did not get a pre-order in on time)
It would be considered a new contract on AT&T so you would not have unlimited data. Also in the US it is only for AT&T
Why thank you for that, being a sprint person, and an Android lover, AT&T is certainly not something I want to deal with, at least that helps me with my decision, I'll just have to use a USB Sprint 4G adapter... :
finndo said:
Why thank you for that, being a sprint person, and an Android lover, AT&T is certainly not something I want to deal with, at least that helps me with my decision, I'll just have to use a USB Sprint 4G adapter... :
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have an android phone I would recommend root it and install wifi tether. Rooting is a very simple process for the EVO at unrevoked.com and I am not sure if it will have support for a usb adapter. You might get the MiFi that is coming to Sprint soon.
Interesting topic. Since I am also on Sprint, its probably better off just getting the Wifi version and wifi tether to the EVO or pdanet. Now when Traveling overseas where Sprint doesn't work (except Jamaica and Taiwan) I guess the wifi will have to just do.
TS
smedley.jason said:
If you have an android phone I would recommend root it and install wifi tether. Rooting is a very simple process for the EVO at unrevoked.com and I am not sure if it will have support for a usb adapter. You might get the MiFi that is coming to Sprint soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
twospirits said:
Interesting topic. Since I am also on Sprint, its probably better off just getting the Wifi version and wifi tether to the EVO or pdanet. Now when Traveling overseas where Sprint doesn't work (except Jamaica and Taiwan) I guess the wifi will have to just do.
TS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you tether an Android device to an Android device? I have purchased EasyTether, I use it for work when I have to drive between states, but did not know they made an Android app to tether to, I thought it only worked on PC's. I'll have to go to their website and look into it.
On Android if you root it you can install a WiFi Tether application that allows you to turn your phone into a hot spot without having to pay Sprint.
http://lifehacker.com/5447347/how-to-tether-your-android-phone
smedley.jason said:
On Android if you root it you can install a WiFi Tether application that allows you to turn your phone into a hot spot without having to pay Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh ok, yeah I forgot you can make it a hotspot... since I don't need that function right now...
good call. Yeah, I'll stick with the wifi model.
You are correct, I keep forgetting that pdanet only has the PC drivers.
TS
Or if you don't want to root and get good T-Mobile service, the Nexus One/S can be a Wifi hotspot out of the box.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Vandalet said:
Or if you don't want to root and get good T-Mobile service, the Nexus One/S can be a Wifi hotspot out of the box.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are on T-Mobile you can specify the overseas version by emailing them and it is capable to connect to T-Mobile.
Vandalet said:
Or if you don't want to root and get good T-Mobile service, the Nexus One/S can be a Wifi hotspot out of the box.
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought WifI Hotspot tethering was a standard feature in Froyo...
I have it on my Desire (yes it's rooted, but I think the hotspot functionality was part of the original ROM).
litening said:
I thought WifI Hotspot tethering was a standard feature in Froyo...
I have it on my Desire (yes it's rooted, but I think the hotspot functionality was part of the original ROM).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a standard feature but the service providers locked it down so you would have to pay them to use it. The nexus one and s are the only ones that have it enabled.
You can pick your carrier with the adam
Rohan's interview on Android Police states:
AP: Regarding the 3G model, how many frequency sets are being offered? In the US, AT&T and T-Mobile run on different 3G bands, necessitating at least two US 3G models.
Rohan: Initially we offered only one 3G module which was suited for AT&T, but then when customers requested we changed their models. From next pre-order everyone will be given an option of deciding their own 3G module for a specific frequency.
So, if you have already pre-ordered but want a different carrier...email them and provide your order info with your carrier preference. If you pre-order now you will have an option to indicate your choice
Data limitations will be determined by cell carrier not this device. And yes, every company but Sprint has a limit on data right now. Come to think of it, Sprint might have a limit for their USB hotspot and for the devices that have an EVDO radio in them, not sure on that.
Regardless as others stated, if this bothers you just wifi tether. But I have a Chrome Netbook with a verizon connection in it and I love it. Not having to deal with wifi tether all the time is nice.
webs05 said:
Data limitations will be determined by cell carrier not this device. And yes, every company but Sprint has a limit on data right now. Come to think of it, Sprint might have a limit for their USB hotspot and for the devices that have an EVDO radio in them, not sure on that.
Regardless as others stated, if this bothers you just wifi tether. But I have a Chrome Netbook with a verizon connection in it and I love it. Not having to deal with wifi tether all the time is nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i'm jealous, i have been hoping everyday a cr-48 would be waiting for me when i get home.
Crimton said:
i'm jealous, i have been hoping everyday a cr-48 would be waiting for me when i get home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't worry he only has a 100Mb of data.
smedley.jason said:
Don't worry he only has a 100Mb of data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but it was free! free things are my favorite
Crimton said:
but it was free! free things are my favorite
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know i'm jealous as well.
I just ordered my Adam and the only model left was the Pixel Qi 3G version. If I had a choice, I would have gone wifi only because I don't have AT&T as a carrier (I have Verizon). Was it just me that found a lack of info on the website about the 3G carrier requirements? It wouldn't have changed my order (because I ordered to late), but it seemed a little vague. I'm still stoked to get the adam though.
Cheers!
I can't decide if I want a 3g or just wifi. The difference in price is quite substantial £579 vs £479 I believe. I wonder if it will be possible to use a dongle or mobile phone as a hot spot. Any comments?
I tried out the Mobile WiFi Hotspot app on my HTC this evening and the WiFi Tab connected to it easily, I was on a reasonably quick 3G connection at the time and everything worked really well. I was sat in my car (waiting) and I suppose the downside to this is that I was draining battery on 2 devices at the same time.
If you're indoors then you could have one or both devices on charge and battery would'nt be an issue.
Lot of 3G users feel there is no love for them on the forums since most dev's create Wifi only ROMs. Wifi only Tabs are more common here in the US and have been out a lot longer, so development happens more frequently.
I went for wifi only because everywhere I go, generally has free wifi available. I tether with my Captivate if I can not find a wifi signal.
3G IMO.
Tethering just ends up draining the battery on two devices at the same time and a lot of networks charge extra for it (thankfully I have it included in my tariff).
Also, the 3G Tab has a memory card slot whereas the wi-fi only model does not.
If you do go for the 3G Tab, Three have a SIM-only data tariff aimed at iPads which gives you 10GB for £15 on a 30-day rolling contract.
One of the best value data tariffs in the UK and better yet no fixed term.
You have an SD card slot on your Tab?
Sent from my HTC Incredible S using xda premium
No but I have the wi-fi only version.
they removed the SD card slot even in the 3G version.
Step666 said:
Also, the 3G Tab has a memory card slot whereas the wi-fi only model does not.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure about that? Last i heard the 3G model doesnt have a microSD slot.
If you do go for the 3G Tab, Three have a SIM-only data tariff aimed at iPads which gives you 10GB for £15 on a 30-day rolling contract.
One of the best value data tariffs in the UK and better yet no fixed term.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A regular Three PAYG SIM has unlimited data for £15 - no need for an iPad "plan"!
Regards,
Dave
simple_punk said:
they removed the SD card slot even in the 3G version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In which case my apologies, everything I'd read so far (even on here) said otherwise.
That's really pretty criminal of Samsung, it's not like the issue of, say, a full-sized HDMI port which wouldn't fit onto a device like the Tab, there's no good reason for them not to have included a microSD slot.
foxmeister said:
A regular Three PAYG SIM has unlimited data for £15 - no need for an iPad "plan"!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except, doing that is expressly forbidden:
Three said:
When using data, tethering a phone to a laptop for internet use, using the SIM in a Mobile Broadband Device or using hotspot functionality is not included.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know of it's possible to use a USB dongle with it?
Sent from my HTC Hero using xda premium
You couldn't run a dongle directly from the Tab, you wouldn't have the necessary drivers.
You could use one of the mi-fi devices but then you're back to tethering and having to charge two devices etc.
I've got the 3G version and there's definitely no SD card slot...
3G is the way to go if you plan on using it outside, I'm nearly 3 hours a day in the bus and it's really handy
I was thinking about getting WiFi-only version and tether with my HTC Desire, but it's a huge battery drainage for the phone and i'm on public transport 2hrs/day, so i ended up with 3G version (anyway it's pretty hard to get 7510 here in Russia, they are not yet officially distributing it, we have 16Gb 7500 only). As for ROM situation, don't worry Stock ROM is pretty smooth with V6 supercharger script + OC 1.4Ghz Kernel.
TLR version: ask yourself "Do I have free WiFi everywhere i go?", because tethering everyday with your phone is not cool.
I pretty much echo the other 3G users, when I bought my iPad last year, I got all the way to the check out with the wifi version, then changed my mind at the last minute and got the 3G version, it was the best thing I did, so when it came to getting the Tab, I wasn't going for any other version than the 3G version.
In my opinion, it's an accompanying mobile device, if I have to go and find somewhere that had wifi each time I needed access to the net, it wouldn't be very mobile? I just get my SIM cards of Ebay, 3GB of data to use in 3 months, cheap as chips.
So in short "3G version, every time!"
RavenY2K3 said:
I pretty much echo the other 3G users, when I bought my iPad last year, I got all the way to the check out with the wifi version, then changed my mind at the last minute and got the 3G version, it was the best thing I did, so when it came to getting the Tab, I wasn't going for any other version than the 3G version.
In my opinion, it's an accompanying mobile device, if I have to go and find somewhere that had wifi each time I needed access to the net, it wouldn't be very mobile? I just get my SIM cards of Ebay, 3GB of data to use in 3 months, cheap as chips.
So in short "3G version, every time!"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the same ! The tablet like ipad, galaxy tab are nothing without 3G , it will become just a Toy . 3G all the way!
RavenY2K3 said:
I pretty much echo the other 3G users, when I bought my iPad last year, I got all the way to the check out with the wifi version, then changed my mind at the last minute and got the 3G version, it was the best thing I did, so when it came to getting the Tab, I wasn't going for any other version than the 3G version.
In my opinion, it's an accompanying mobile device, if I have to go and find somewhere that had wifi each time I needed access to the net, it wouldn't be very mobile? I just get my SIM cards of Ebay, 3GB of data to use in 3 months, cheap as chips.
So in short "3G version, every time!"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great post!
Thanks a lot guys! Very helpful. I think that
32GB 3G is what I want. Have to wait until it's available in the UK.
Sent from my HTC Hero using xda premium
i always carry my phone with me..and given thats android i can tether to my tablet whilst commuting to and from work.
so really no need for a 3G tablet...dont like paying twice for my data
nandihno said:
...dont like paying twice for my data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That presumes your network doesn't charge extra for tethering.
In the UK, only one network offers tethering by default on all tariffs but you still get better value paying for one of their mobile broadband tariffs.
nandihno said:
i always carry my phone with me..and given thats android i can tether to my tablet whilst commuting to and from work.
so really no need for a 3G tablet...dont like paying twice for my data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know which country are you living but why you have to pay twice for your data ? In my country we pay for what we use. Your tablet don't have 3G you still have to pay 3G fee for your phone, your tablet have 3G you don't have to pay 3G for your phone and pay for tablet only.
By the way, 3G tablet was the best choice if you can buy it.
Hey! I live in Israel and I am traveling to the US in July. I need an internet acces most of the time so I thought about purchase a sim card from T-Mobile with unlimited data, text and talk for 3 USD per day. I carry other devices like laptop and my Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WIFI model so I need them to get WIFI... I thought about tethering WIFI by using my LG P500 phone, but I heard that all the carrieres in the US charge more money for tethring... I heard that its only that way in the carriers stock roms, is that true?
bar_rodoy said:
Hey! I live in Israel and I am traveling to the US in July. I need an internet acces most of the time so I thought about purchase a sim card from T-Mobile with unlimited data, text and talk for 3 USD per day. I carry other devices like laptop and my Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 WIFI model so I need them to get WIFI... I thought about tethering WIFI by using my LG P500 phone, but I heard that all the carrieres in the US charge more money for tethring... I heard that its only that way in the carriers stock roms, is that true?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
While it's true that U.S. carriers restrict tethering (unless you pay for tethering) on their own ROMs, they also take efforts to detect tethering on unbranded devices, such as yours.
There are a few things I'd worry about for you:
- T-Mobile USA currently checks UA strings in web browsers to detect tethering. It even does this when you use Chrome Beta for Android in desktop mode. Be sure to get an extension that changes your browser to a mobile browser if you're using your laptop. Your tablet will probably be okay.
- Your phone needs to support the AWS band to run on T-Mobile's 3G (1700/2100Mhz). Some areas have support for the PCS (1900Mhz) band on T-Mobile 3G, but those areas are limited and you shouldn't rely on them. I don't think that your model of the LG P500 supports this- in fact, I don't know if your phone even supports AT&T's 3G bands. UMTS band I, which your phone supports, is not used in America, I have no idea why T_T
- Depending on where you're going, you may want to use AT&T (3G on: PCS band or band V(850Mhz)), which has a larger 3G network. I have T-Mobile and love it, but the coverage outside of cities sometimes drops to EDGE.
Hope this helps. Glad to see an actual "networking" question in the Networking forum. Instead of "omg which phone should I buy"
I use tethering on my G2 all the time, yes I am running CM7 , not stock but never had an issue with tether. Pretty much though, using a different tethering app works fine with no issues.
I already have a 16gb Nexus 7 but but I am upgrading to a 32gb and was wondering whether it was worth getting the 3G version.
I like the idea of the 3G as I would probably use it abroad with a PAYG SIM bought locally but whilst at home I would not be using a SIM, relying on WI-FI and hotspotting to my phone.
So I would like to know
1) If using without a SIM is the performance/battery life any different to the non 3G version
2) Is/will the device be in high street stores by Christmas or will it be yet another Nexus 4 fiasco
Cheers
Baz
Well, I would normally say, "Its better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it." Which is why I paid the extra $50 for one. I dont know what the price difference is for you in the UK, tho. 30 quid?
You may even find that you would just rather have the 3G option at home since it can be kind of a hassle to turn on the wifi and connect it.
I'm not sure about your other questions, tho since I don't have mine yet.
I use tablet talk and WiFi tethering on my cheap android phone. This allows me to data roam and send/receive SMS direct(ish) to my tablet.
I can even make calls from my tablet provided I have my BT headset connected to my phone for incoming audio.
Only reason I would really consider the 3g is if someone hacks it to make standalone calls (people are working on trying to do just that).
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2