Unlimited mobile data - can it replace home broadband?

Cycrow

in_my_bumble_opinion wrote: »

Sorry, didn't mean to sound like I was having a go, just saying that their policy doesn't mean very much in the real world.

unless they decided to enforce it

Buzby

Cycrow wrote: »

unless they decided to enforce it

And terminate service - which they have already done to data users when it becomes a problem.

As for there being 'no contract' there is - the T&C's you agree to are clearly stated - the only thing they do not have, is a minimum term.

Bounderby

I've ordered a one month rolling SIM on the one plan from 3, for £18 a month with cashback that makes it effectively a free trial.
If I find it works out ok in my area, I will cancel Virgin and try to upgrade my current 3 SIM to the 12 months one plan contract at £15.

im-lost

I use three as me sole internet connection, annolder talk 500 plan thats a few months awa from ending, with a 'all youcneat' data addon for £2.50

I use between 50 and 75gb a month, get speeds that far outstrip any landline service around here, often in to the double digits.

stream from ntflix / nowtv / iplayer on the xbox and the nowtv box without a single problem.

often have 2 or 3 things connected at the same time without speed issues, its great.

best of all, there's no landline fees and its completely portable.

when this contract is over, ill be moving to the £15 one plan,as I have no wish to be tied in to an overinflated contract with a handset.

in_my_bumble_opinion

Buzby wrote: »

And terminate service - which they have already done to data users when it becomes a problem.

As for there being 'no contract' there is - the T&C's you agree to are clearly stated - the only thing they do not have, is a minimum term.

I've yet to meet anyone in the real world who has had their service terminated or even been 'warned'.

They can call it a contract and invent as many rules as they like, but it's just so much hot air. It's the equivalent of those private parking companies pretending they have a legal right to receive the money for the 'fines' they issue.

They have sold something to you and that's it. It's over. Of course they can terminate services anytime they want, but that is all they have a right to do. There is absolutely nothing stopping people tethering if they want.

Bounderby

Well I did my trial and it didn't quite work well enough to justify continuing.

Streaming general internet usage to a PC was fine with no issues. Streaming HD content on Netflix through an Xbox had some issues with buffering, although you could probably live with it if you had to. Time of day didn't affect speeds. Didn't experience drop-outs either.
I couldn't use my Sonos stereo as a component has to be wired to a router to work though I expect that could be worked around with a second phone plugged permanently to a router. I couldn't stream direct to my TV either as it's currently hard-wired and I'd have to buy a dongle or use the Sonos solution, so more outlay but would solve the problem.

In conclusion if you just use the web to browse sites like MSE or Facebook and check e-mails, I wouldn't hesitate doing everything through a data-inclusive SIM. If you want more media-heavy stuff like HD video it's not *quite* there yet, or not in my area at least.

IF 4G reaches me and 3 keep their prices the same as they are promising, it will be well worth re-visiting.