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If I want to have net access on the go via GSM/UMTS, the two usual options are:

  • tethering the laptop to a mobile phone or
  • use a dedicated data card / USB stick

Which option will give you better reception (GSM signal) quality? Or are they the same?

On the one hand, I'd suspect the mobile phone to have better reception, because it can be moved around, and is farther away from the laptop's emissions. On the other hand, a data card might be better optimized for data usage?

Also, will the connection method to the mobile phone (Bluetooth or USB) make a difference?

I could imagine that bluetooth causes additional emissions that might interfere with the GSM signal. Is that possible?

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depends on what link would you be using to tether to a mobile phone. bluetooth? usb? see superuser.com/questions/16825/iphone-3g-tethering-doesnt-start/… – quack quixote Feb 25 '10 at 4:13
@quack: The linked question is for a problem that is apparently specific to the iPhone. Also its not about signal quality, but about tethering not working at all. So I don't see how this relates to my question. – sleske Feb 25 '10 at 9:58
Anyway, edit the question to mention different connection methods. – sleske Feb 25 '10 at 10:01
it's just an example that showed problems one device had/has while tethered over bluetooth, to point out that the type of link used for the tether matters. not to your GSM reception, but to the quality of your resulting network connection. – quack quixote Feb 25 '10 at 13:03
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