Just got my hands on a Vodafone Access Gateway.

The Vodafone Access Gateway service gives you a great 3G signal throughout your home, no matter where you live. All you need is a broadband line (1.5MB minimum requirement) and the Gateway - a clever little box that's simple to install (all you need is a spare Main Socket and a spare ethernet connection on your Broadband Modem/Router).

You can even connect family and friends to the Gateway (Up to 32 numbers can be connected), as long as they're with Vodafone. And up to four people can use it at once. So everyone gets the same great signal.

The set-up is simple, but it is limited to single location use which is a bit of a pitty as they require the post code location and floor o the building in which it will be used. They say this information is required to ensure a better service. I accept this whn it come to the postcode, but the floor of the building seems a little extreme. They'll be asking what room it's in and which wall it's agains next.

I'll post more after I've had the chance to use it for a little while.

UPDATE

I've had the Gateway up and running for over a day now and must say it is a marvelous invention. Prior to set-up I was looking to have any reception adn now I have full 3.5G reception all of the time at home. It has also dawned on me that this device will also extend battery life at home as when you have poor reception your phone will be searchiong for a netwrok which drains power, whereas with the Gateway you always have full coverage, meaning that the phone does not have to use up vital power searching. This comes as an additional bonus.

Another useful nugget of information is that the Gateway service comes with it's own dedicated Vodafone contact number rather than the default 08700 700191, meaning that you can get throught to a physical member of staff a lot quicker. In fact my first phone call to the Gateway number put me straight through to a memeber of staff with no automated service at all. One thing to note is that once initial set-up is complete the only way in which you can add or remove mobile numbers to your Gateway is to phone the Gateway service as there is no web-based system for doing this at present. I did find this a bit of a pitty, but whilst the phone service is as good as it is I won't loose any sleep over it. The final point I would like to make that it appears that as this is a 3G Gateway mobile phones that do not support 3G will not be able to make use of this device and a re forced to continue to use the standard network coverage available in your area.

All in all, in my experience, if you are in a poor reception area this is a must have device, as long as you have a spare £160 or can find £5 per month until you haev paid over you £160 as you will never have to worry about reception when with this device (As long as you have a broadband connection wether this be via a BT phone-line or cable). I would also suggest one of these to anyone with reasonable network coverage, which can be temperamental as this gives you guaranteeed reception all of the time, when in the location where it is set-up.