For all:

The modems are all now free on all 3MBB packages, except for 1GB/12
months (£49) and PAYG (£99).

Existing 3 customers:

3 stores are offering half price line rental on contracts. So £5/month
for 1GB, £7.50/month for 3GB, and half of whatever the 7GB tariff is for
that. The discount lasts for as long as the minimum term you sign for.
It's not advertised; you need to go and ask.

For clever people:

I ended up with the ZTE MF622 modem (no E220s left in my nearest store).
Is there a way of having Internet Connect (on my Mac) dial it directly?
The software dialler maintains a constant 5% CPU requirement, which
isn't ideal when on battery.

For very clever people:

Any Linux drivers for this that anyone knows of? I'm thinking of getting
an Eee PC...

(Of course, I'm sure there'd be many people (such as owners of black
laptops) who would happily swap an E220 for an MF622!)

Many thanks!

FS.