Can I use any mobile sim as a Data SIM for a mobile broadband, or does it have to be a specific one

d2446679

Hi, I am in the market for a new "Data SIM" to use for mobile broadband via a wifi-dongle and wireless router. Could be PAYG or contract but I am leaning towards contract.

I want to use it for:
1. As a backup for my main (Sky) broadband, as we are both WFH currently and need internet access.
2. When "out and about" (once lockdown allows!) to set up the device in e.g. a hotel room and have tablets etc use its data.
3. Data-intensive things like Spotify and Netflix while at work

My main phone plan only has a small amount of data and minutes and I found it quite useful to have a separate "data plan" on a different network so I'm not looking to combine them.

I am currently on a plan with Three for this (monthly but out of contract) which was sold specifically as a "data plan" to be used with a mobile data device, although I bought it as SIM Only and supplied the device myself.

Now I am looking to change to a different network such as EE. They have some good tariffs (other companies are available, I'm not a shill for EE lol) but a lot of them seem aimed towards "mobile phone" usage, e.g. unlimited texts and minutes, and 50GB of data per month.

I won't need the texts and minutes as I would be using it in a hotspot device, not on a phone.

My question is whether I can use any plans with a "data device" (mobile hotspot etc) or whether it has to be sold specifically as a data SIM? Can I use a SIM tariff with 100 minutes, 100 texts and 10 GB of data (or whatever) for example?

Logically I can't see any difference between that device and using it in a mobile with "tethering" (pricing-wise I mean, I know the technical differences) but then I recall some contracts didn't allow unlimited tethering in the past either.

I checked the terms & conditions and couldn't find anything relevant there.

Thanks!