UK Broadband via Mobile SIM Plans?


  1. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
       #1

    UK Broadband via Mobile SIM Plans?


    I'm fed up with the poor service and expense of Virgin Media for UK broadband (70Mbps) and all day phone calls for £50 plus.

    I've just bought a 4G phone and find I can tether it to my Windows 10 laptop or PC and get 35Mbps internet download speed which is fast enough for my needs. Three mobile offer a monthly SIM deal for unlimited data and phone calls for £25 which would meet my needs (half the price of VM). There may be cheaper plans.

    Has anyone used a mobile only plan for their phone calls and PC internet access and can recommend this as a cost effective option?
      My Computers


  2. Posts : 8,057
    windows 10
       #2

    3 does a mobile Huawei router which can be used instead of your phone it has its own sim card. There are now satilite internet providers. The cost of mobile is dropping daily 3 does 20 gig for £20 are you on 4g with 3 your speed is low I get 100+ download
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 856
    Windows 10 Pro 21H2 build 19045.2193 Dual Boot Linux Mint
       #3

    I use an EE 4G data Sim and a Huawai B315s LTE router, running 3 PC's and a smart TV through it, gives me 60Mbps down and 30Mbps up, given up with Land Line ISP's too unreliable, as I have to say was using a Three data Sim here which only gets 8Mbps down on 4G goes up to 15 after midnight. Advisable to try and find out which 4G works best in your location. Kept the 3 data sim as it works better with my Laptop when I go off to North Wales, better coverage.
    Might have a problem using a three phone sim with a router, tried it here in a dongle and got a use in your phone only message! That was a couple of years ago though.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #4

    Steve C said:
    I'm fed up with the poor service and expense of Virgin Media for UK broadband (70Mbps) and all day phone calls for £50 plus.

    I've just bought a 4G phone and find I can tether it to my Windows 10 laptop or PC and get 35Mbps internet download speed which is fast enough for my needs. Three mobile offer a monthly SIM deal for unlimited data and phone calls for £25 which would meet my needs (half the price of VM). There may be cheaper plans.

    Has anyone used a mobile only plan for their phone calls and PC internet access and can recommend this as a cost effective option?
    That is more expensive and speed roughly of my BT Infinity which is rock solid.

    Problem with mobile sim plans, although they offer unlimited data, they do not offer unlimited tethering - I understand the 3 plans (except the base ones) do now offer unlimited tethering. Problem with tethering, it is pretty flakey and subject to weather condition and local maintenance etc. It is just not as reliable.


    Using mobile long term also puts more strain on the battery which can be a big deal if battery is not removable.

    Also, I find if you get calls, it can interrupt downloads.

    In the end, tethering is really best suited to short term e.g. when travelling.

    You are also putting all your eggs in one basket. If broadband goes down you can use tethering as an emergency backup.
    If you rely on mobile broadband, and it goes down, you are knackered.


    I personally think the aggravation offsets the savings
    You can get a good deal with BT infinity and buy a base unlimited mobile calls deal with around 4GB from 3 for same price.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Samuria said:
    3 does a mobile Huawei router which can be used instead of your phone it has its own sim card. There are now satilite internet providers. The cost of mobile is dropping daily 3 does 20 gig for £20 are you on 4g with 3 your speed is low I get 100+ download
    I'm away in a country location - speed may improve at home.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 7,871
    Windows 11 Pro 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #6

    cereberus said:
    That is more expensive and speed roughly of my BT Infinity which is rock solid.

    Problem with mobile sim plans, although they offer unlimited data, they do not offer unlimited tethering - I understand the 3 plans (except the base ones) do now offer unlimited tethering. Problem with tethering, it is pretty flakey and subject to weather condition and local maintenance etc. It is just not as reliable.


    Using mobile long term also puts more strain on the battery which can be a big deal if battery is not removable.

    Also, I find if you get calls, it can interrupt downloads.

    In the end, tethering is really best suited to short term e.g. when travelling.

    You are also putting all your eggs in one basket. If broadband goes down you can use tethering as an emergency backup.
    If you rely on mobile broadband, and it goes down, you are knackered.


    I personally think the aggravation offsets the savings
    You can get a good deal with BT infinity and buy a base unlimited mobile calls deal with around 4GB from 3 for same price.
    BT Infinity is more than Virgin Media once the offer period is over taking into account the call plans. I can leave the mobile phone connected to a charger for long periods of data use but I guess that is not ideal for the battery either. The tethering is just a few feet between the phone and PC so I don't see why that's a problem.
      My Computers


  7. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #7

    Steve C said:
    BT Infinity is more than Virgin Media once the offer period is over taking into account the call plans. I can leave the mobile phone connected to a charger for long periods of data use but I guess that is not ideal for the battery either. The tethering is just a few feet between the phone and PC so I don't see why that's a problem.
    Actually as you near the end of your contract, they usually offer you another 12/18 months at same price. I have been on BT intro price for three years now. If you do not get offer price reoffered - tell them you are leaving and they jump!

    Re.tethering - it is the connection to the mobile network that is flakey.

    I would just buy some tethering data of a pay and go plan first and see how stable it is before committing to a contract.
      My Computer


 

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