PAYG for MiFi

kiloran

I have a MiFi which I use rarely. Typically for 2-3 day periods when I'm away from home 2-3 times a year. I use it with my laptop or tablet.

I used to use a Samba mobile SIM, but they are now dead in the water.

What is the best alternative? I don't like the plans where the data allowance expires after 30 days, I just want a plain, simple PAYG which I can top up as I need and does not expire. Cost isn't a major issue, I'm not using a massive amount of data.

Many plans I have looked at forbid tethering. Is a MiFi actually classed as tethering? I can't see the difference, but some people suggest it is not classed as tethering.

d123

kiloran wrote: »

Many plans I have looked at forbid tethering. Is a MiFi actually classed as tethering? I can't see the difference, but some people suggest it is not classed as tethering.

Easy one, do you browse the internet on the mifi?

Or do you connect (ie tether) other devices to the mifi to use the internet on the other device?

kiloran

d123 wrote: »

Easy one, do you browse the internet on the mifi?

Or do you connect (ie tether) other devices to the mifi to use the internet on the other device?

No you cannot browse the internet on a mifi. It is a box like a mobile phone but without the screen and speech bits. It's sole purpose is to receive a 3G or 4G signal and make the data available vie wifi for other devices.

Scrounger

One solution would be a cheap T-Mobile data SIM in conjunction with an 'Internet Booster' as required.

Scrounger

Rusty!

kiloran wrote: »

No you cannot browse the internet on a mifi. It is a box like a mobile phone but without the screen and speech bits. It's sole purpose is to receive a 3G or 4G signal and make the data available vie wifi for other devices.

Then you know whether you'll be tethering by using it or not

d123

kiloran wrote: »

No you cannot browse the internet on a mifi. It is a box like a mobile phone but without the screen and speech bits. It's sole purpose is to receive a 3G or 4G signal and make the data available vie wifi for other devices.

So you answered your own question? Didn't you?

PS

That's why I said it was an easy one to answer .

gjchester

kiloran wrote: »

What is the best alternative? I don't like the plans where the data allowance expires after 30 days, I just want a plain, simple PAYG which I can top up as I need and does not expire. Cost isn't a major issue, I'm not using a massive amount of data .

I buy threes 1GB/30 day Sims at anywhere between 4.99 and £7.99 when they appear on offer and use them then throw them away.


They are effectively a mobile and so any PAYG solution will need some activity either every 90 or 180 days (depending on the networks policy) to remain active.

macman

gjchester wrote: »

I buy threes 1GB/30 day Sims at anywhere between 4.99 and £7.99 when they appear on offer and use them then throw them away.


They are effectively a mobile and so any PAYG solution will need some activity either every 90 or 180 days (depending on the networks policy) to remain active.

Which network in particular though?

Nodding_Donkey

Three probably, but that's just a wild stab in the dark +

NiftyDigits

gjchester wrote: »

I buy threes 1GB/30 day Sims at anywhere between 4.99 and £7.99 when they appear on offer and use them then throw them away.


They are effectively a mobile and so any PAYG solution will need some activity either every 90 or 180 days (depending on the networks policy) to remain active.

Perhaps you missed;

I don't like the plans where the data allowance expires after 30 days

gjchester

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Perhaps you missed;

I didn't , I was trying to pointing out no-one does a non expiring PAYG SIM card be it for voice or data, just didn't explain it that well.


The OP said they would use it a few days a years two or three times a year, depending on the timing there's a good chance a PAYG card may have expired when the OP comes to use it. At least with the Three way they are always ready to go with some data on them, even if they expire 30 days after.


I keep a few on a shelf and use one when I go away.

All networks disconnect non used SIMS otherwise we'd run out of mobile numbers.