Is a MiFi the answer to cheap mobile internet?

bertietheblue

I plan to take my homeworking on the road in a campervan, first around the UK and then in France. It seems that the only cost-effective way to do this (short of seeking out WiFi hotspots which isn't ideal because I need a constant connection and I don't plan driving a big van around urban areas, with WiFi cafes, much) is to buy a Huawei MiFi device – either the R205 through Vodafone or the E586 from 3 – unlock it and then get the best Data SIM deal around (and with a local provider when in France). That sorts out the internet. Or is there a better, cheaper way?

As for the phone, I assume I just get a bundle with whatever minutes I need (plus some bandwidth for when I'm not near my van/MiFi connection), and the SIM for this could be with a different provider from my MiFi SIM. Is that correct? And if I’m in a van somewhere remote and the MiFi has, say, a 3 SIM card and the phone is on Orange, does it mean I increase my chances of getting a phone signal because the phone can connect either through directly through Orange or via the MiFi through 3? Surely not? :huh:

I've got many more questions about MiFi's and how to avoid forking out for a punitively expensive contract, but I'll leave it at that for now.

Thanks all
Bertie

Fifer

bertietheblue wrote: »

I plan to take my homeworking on the road in a campervan, first around the UK and then in France. It seems that the only cost-effective way to do this (short of seeking out WiFi hotspots which isn't ideal because I need a constant connection and I don't plan driving a big van around urban areas, with WiFi cafes, much) is to buy a Huawei MiFi device – either the R205 through Vodafone or the E586 from 3 – unlock it and then get the best Data SIM deal around (and with a local provider when in France). That sorts out the internet. Or is there a better, cheaper way?

As for the phone, I assume I just get a bundle with whatever minutes I need (plus some bandwidth for when I'm not near my van/MiFi connection), and the SIM for this could be with a different provider from my MiFi SIM. Is that correct? And if I’m in a van somewhere remote and the MiFi has, say, a 3 SIM card and the phone is on Orange, does it mean I increase my chances of getting a phone signal because the phone can connect either through directly through Orange or via the MiFi through 3? Surely not? :huh:

I've got many more questions about MiFi's and how to avoid forking out for a punitively expensive contract, but I'll leave it at that for now.

Thanks all
Bertie

Instead of a mifi, you could use a phone with tethering/wifi hotspot capability.

bertietheblue

Fifer wrote: »

Instead of a mifi, you could use a phone with tethering/wifi hotspot capability.

My understanding is:
- mobile phone packages don't offer as much bandwidth as most MiFi packages so you're more liable to go over your allowance and face hefty charges, and
- tethering drains the phone battery

Plus tethering has issues if you go abroad - I don't think any of the big UK providers support it once you leave the UK, so you have to either sort out tethering with a local provider or connect via a MiFi or internet dongle.

(The above is based on a couple of days research so please correct me if I'm wrong.)

Buzby

MiFi is available on PAYG, but the unit will require unlocking. Which network to use when abroad will depend on which country, and if it serves you where you've parked up. So be prepared for a thankless task ahead!

thefirs

I unlocked my Three mifi and put in a Voda data sim - although this is not especially economical, it has everlasting credit that I only use sporadically.

One thing you may need to alter manually is the APN for any foreign network that you may employ. Make sure you can get into the admin area of the mifi (you'll need to do this for unlocking anyway). There's a comprehensive international list at http://wiki.apnchanger.org/Main_Page

NFH

bertietheblue wrote: »

(and with a local provider when in France)

See:

http://www.lebonforfait.fr/comparateur.html

http://prepaidwithdata.wikia.com/wiki/France

http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/france/

bertietheblue

NFH wrote: »

See:

http://www.lebonforfait.fr/comparateur.html

http://prepaidwithdata.wikia.com/wiki/France

http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/france/

Wow! A lot of useful info there. I'm going to take a few days gettting my head around it. Thanks NFH! And to thefirs for the link!

fiendishlyclever

bertietheblue wrote: »

My understanding is:
- mobile phone packages don't offer as much bandwidth as most MiFi packages so you're more liable to go over your allowance and face hefty charges, and
- tethering drains the phone battery

Plus tethering has issues if you go abroad - I don't think any of the big UK providers support it once you leave the UK, so you have to either sort out tethering with a local provider or connect via a MiFi or internet dongle.

(The above is based on a couple of days research so please correct me if I'm wrong.)

Use a data sim in your mobile phone? A cheap Android phone would cost the same as a MIFI. If you are a heavy data user then the one-plan on Three could work out cheaper than buying a data only package

A Mifi has a battery too - you can leave a phone connected to a charger if you need it just like the mifi.

I've always used wifi abroad but I can't see why Android hotspot tethering wouldn't work - but it would be expensive without a local sim.

I can see advantages to both methods (personally I use a data sim in my iPad as opposed to tethering but that's because I'm lazy! )