Sim-only mobile broadband?

Iconic

I have got an o2 broadband dongle that is almost useless because of a very bad signal in the area I want to use it.

The T-Mobile coverage appears to be much better but they don't seem to supply broadband sims without the dongle. I see 3 do them but their coverage is a bit dodgy like o2.

Will a 3g mobile phone sim work in a bb dongle?

espresso

Iconic wrote: »

I have got an o2 broadband dongle that is almost useless because of a very bad signal in the area I want to use it.

The T-Mobile coverage appears to be much better but they don't seem to supply broadband sims without the dongle. I see 3 do them but their coverage is a bit dodgy like o2.

Will a 3g mobile phone sim work in a bb dongle?

You can use virtually any data enabled SIM in your O2 dongle, you just need to create a new profile for the new network in the O2 connection manager.

e.g.
T-Mobile
APN: general.t-mobile.uk
Username: user
Password: pass
Primary DNS: Set automatically
SMTP gateway (for email): smtp.t-email.co.uk

Orange
APN: orangeinternet
Username: Leave blank
Password: Leave blank
Primary DNS: 193.035.131.194
SMTP gateway (for email): smtp.orange.co.uk

Vodafone
APN: internet
Username: web
Password: web
Primary DNS: 158.043.240.004
SMTP gateway (for email): smtp.vodafone.net

bcl999

There was a thread previously about using the old Vodafone Mobile Internet SIMS in the O2 dongle. The SIMS are different from the current ones in that they don't require a monthly top-up. I think the credit lasts for 6 months instead but can't be sure as I've only had mine since February. It's working fine but you do need to change the log-on name in the software.

Have a search for the thread as all the details are there.

Iconic

Thanks for the replies.

It looks like I will have to buy another dongle if I want T-Mobile broadband because they don't sell the sims separately!

Don,t suppose there any sites that will swap an 02 dongle for one with T mobile?

espresso

Iconic wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

It looks like I will have to buy another dongle if I want T-Mobile broadband because they don't sell the sims separately!

Don,t suppose there any sites that will swap an 02 dongle for one with T mobile?

You can get SIM's for free is you look around. e.g here

You are better sticking with the O2 dongle as they are unlocked and will accept any networks SIM. Other dongles are locked to the network.

Iconic

espresso wrote: »

You can get SIM's for free is you look around. e.g here

You are better sticking with the O2 dongle as they are unlocked and will accept any networks SIM. Other dongles are locked to the network.

Thank you for your help but I am confused.

Is the T-Mobile sim I can get through your link the same type of SIM that's in T-Mobile's dongle?

When it says ' Internet on phone £1 per day maximum' does that mean the same for the dongle?

espresso

Iconic wrote: »

Thank you for your help but I am confused.

Is the T-Mobile sim I can get through your link the same type of SIM that's in T-Mobile's dongle?

When it says ' Internet on phone £1 per day maximum' does that mean the same for the dongle?

Yes they work fine in a dongle. You can top up the SIM's in a mobile.

Iconic

espresso wrote: »

Yes they work fine in a dongle. You can top up the SIM's in a mobile.

Many thanks I have now ordered one.

I get confused by the different SIM's.

Some old SIM's were not able to connect to the internet. Can I assume all SIM's are now 3G and will connect to the internet?

espresso

Iconic wrote: »

Many thanks I have now ordered one.

I get confused by the different SIM's.

Some old SIM's were not able to connect to the internet. Can I assume all SIM's are now 3G and will connect to the internet?

I have never had any problems with various networks. If using an old SIM, you may need to ring the network operator to get data enabled.

Iconic

espresso wrote: »

I have never had any problems with various networks. If using an old SIM, you may need to ring the network operator to get data enabled.

Thanks. I must be getting confused with o2/Ipod/3g threads.

Perhaps, I previously had a SIM that was not data enabled and it didn't work in the dongle.