3G to WiFi Router

I've had a go setting up a 3G to WiFi router, and shared the with WiFi Palms and Mac Powerbook. Similarly inserted the 3G card directly into the Powerbbook & used 'sharing' to share connection via the Powerbooks WiFi top Palms - similar results! The 3G connection was sloow from home (outside 3G coverage), and similar to dialup speeds within 3G coverage area :-)
Connection was somewhat flakey - kept stalling/dropping. Maybe it was the Telecom end??? Be interested to compare with Vodafone 3G.
Anyway - got much better WiFi by simply plugging an Airport Express into LAN port, and used 'profiles' to switch between setups for home or Unitec networks!