UK 3G Vita: Unlocked Out of The Box?

I’m sure you remember recent grumblings about the ridiculous data tariffs that Vodafone are likely to offer European consumers when the Vita is released on February 22nd.  Well, it turns out that you may be able to shop around for a better data deal after all.

I’ve been made aware of rumors that the European 3G Vita units will be shipped without a SIM lock. Which means, theoretically, that you could use a SIM from any provider to avail yourself of mobile gaming goodness.  Now, whether or not 3G functionality will actually add anything meaningful to the Vita experience is still a matter up for debate but I thought this was something that was worth checking out.

As many of you may know, a number of branches of GAME in the UK currently have retail units available for prospective Vita customers to try out.  Thankfully, my local GAME store in North Finchley just so happened to have a 3G+WiFi Vita demo unit. So I thought I’d see what happened when I chucked my 3 mobile broadband SIM into their Vita.

It worked.  It transmitted data.  It received data.  And Vodafone had nothing to do with it.  Brilliant.

I’m not saying that this finding instantly means that the 3G Vita represents value for money when compared to its WiFi-only sibling; quite what the 3G functionality and limitations on said functionality will be are still too much of an unknown.  But what I am saying is that you’ll definitely be able to find a better deal than those being offered by Vodafone for mobile data.

There’s some really good deals to be had on mobile data if you’re willing to scour the websites of the various UK mobile operators.  My personal choice of provider, based on cost and coverage , would be 3 mobile.  They have a number of excellent SIM only pay-as-you-go (PAYG) data-only options available that work out considerably cheaper than Vodafone’s contracts or PAYG deals.

Here’s how 3 stacks up against Vodafone for mobile data (note – plans from 3 mobile are SIM only, UK Vodafone prices estimated from Vodafone Germany prices):

I’m sure you’ll agree that’s quite a difference. Not just with regards to price, but also the minimum lengths of contract.  Obviously, the official UK pricing of Vodafone’s tariffs have yet to be announced, but as these rates are directly converted from their prices in Euros, they’re likely to be a reasonable ballpark figure.  Also, there are a number of other mobile broadband suppliers in the UK apart from 3 mobile – such as O2, T-Mobile and Orange to name but a few.  Another solution is that, since the 3G Vita takes any full-size SIM card, you could always use the SIM from your mobile phone; but then you wouldn’t be able to receive phone calls.  Derp.

So, in short, shop around if you’re sold on wanting digital gaming freedom to be provided through the medium of a 3G connection.  After all, Sony only states that Vodafone is their ‘preferred’ 3G partner – and that, ladies and gentlemen, only qualifies as a mere suggestion.  But, cheeky though this sounds, make sure you top up with Vodafone once. That way you won’t be missing out on your ‘free’ copy of WipEout 2048.

…But I still reckon the WiFi only Vita is the better deal.