Can you use any Three Unlimited Data SIM in a Mifi (Mobile Broadband) device? 22 June 2022 at 6:19PM edited 22 June 2022 at 6:37PM in Mobiles 8 replies 215 views

HaroldWren5

Not sure which thread this should be posted in - Mobiles or Broadband. Can anyone clarify this please?

On the "Three" website, they list deals for "Pay Monthly SIM Only Deals" and it says on the page that the benefits include "Personal Hotspot" in the UK. Currently doing Unlimited Data on a 24 month contract for £22 with 6 months half price on their website. (Whilst the MSE comparison tool showed a cheaper deal via a reseller.) They also offer you £100 credit for switching to them.

There is a separate "Data SIM" for the same contract length for £22. No credit offered. 
And then finally the Mobile Broadband section shows an offer for £22 a month with 6 months half price which includes their own Mifi device. And no credit offered. 

My question is Are all of these SIMs effectively the same? As in can you take one of them and put them in an unlocked Mifi device and use it for Internet access for your Tablets/Laptops/TV etc?

Do you specifically have to buy the Data SIM, or can you put in any Pay Monthly SIM? The reason being, that the Pay Monthly one seems to be the best "deal" if it provides exactly the same end user experience of Unlimited Data. Thanks in advance!

muffinhead

If it is only unlimited data you are interested in then all the sims offer the same. The only difference would be with a Pay Monthly sim you get calls and texts included which aren't available on data only sims.

You can use these sims in any device of your choosing - there are no longer any restrictions.

Just to throw another offer into the mix, Smarty (part of Three) also do unlimited data (with calls and texts) for £16 and you aren't tied into any contract you pay for one month and can manually / automatically renew to suit your needs. I have PM'd you with the details.

HaroldWren5

muffinhead said:

If it is only unlimited data you are interested in then all the sims offer the same. The only difference would be with a Pay Monthly sim you get calls and texts included which aren't available on data only sims.

You can use these sims in any device of your choosing - there are no longer any restrictions.

Just to throw another offer into the mix, Smarty (part of Three) also do unlimited data (with calls and texts) for £16 and you aren't tied into any contract you pay for one month and can manually / automatically renew to suit your needs. I have PM'd you with the details.

Thanks. That's good to know! That's what I thought, but got a little worried seeing the various sections of the website separating various SIMs. Like you said, they should be identical. 

Thanks for the tip. Yes, that certainly is a good one since it's rolling contract with Smarty. Good call!

LeeUK

While you can use the SIM for hotspot, the speed will be throttled if you use a calls and texts SIM, not sure about the one specially marketed as a data only SIM.

HaroldWren5

LeeUK said:

While you can use the SIM for hotspot, the speed will be throttled if you use a calls and texts SIM, not sure about the one specially marketed as a data only SIM.

Doesn't it mention on their website that there are no data speed restrictions in the UK though?

LeeUK

HaroldWren5 said:

LeeUK said:

While you can use the SIM for hotspot, the speed will be throttled if you use a calls and texts SIM, not sure about the one specially marketed as a data only SIM.

Doesn't it mention on their website that there are no data speed restrictions in the UK though?

Speaking from experience. If I do a speed test on my phone it always comes out with better results than a speed test on another device via the hotspot. 

muffinhead

LeeUK said:

HaroldWren5 said:

LeeUK said:

While you can use the SIM for hotspot, the speed will be throttled if you use a calls and texts SIM, not sure about the one specially marketed as a data only SIM.

Doesn't it mention on their website that there are no data speed restrictions in the UK though?

Speaking from experience. If I do a speed test on my phone it always comes out with better results than a speed test on another device via the hotspot. 

Most likely that would be as a result of carrier aggregation, the combining of multiple bands to offer faster data speeds.

Here is a great explanation: https://www.martinlangmaid.com/2021/05/04/why-is-my-iphone-faster-than-my-router/

I've been using a Smarty sim in a CAT19 router for the last 8 months and haven't noticed any throttling.

HaroldWren5

LeeUK said:

HaroldWren5 said:

LeeUK said:

While you can use the SIM for hotspot, the speed will be throttled if you use a calls and texts SIM, not sure about the one specially marketed as a data only SIM.

Doesn't it mention on their website that there are no data speed restrictions in the UK though?

Speaking from experience. If I do a speed test on my phone it always comes out with better results than a speed test on another device via the hotspot. 

muffinhead said:

LeeUK said:

HaroldWren5 said:

LeeUK said:

While you can use the SIM for hotspot, the speed will be throttled if you use a calls and texts SIM, not sure about the one specially marketed as a data only SIM.

Doesn't it mention on their website that there are no data speed restrictions in the UK though?

Speaking from experience. If I do a speed test on my phone it always comes out with better results than a speed test on another device via the hotspot. 

Most likely that would be as a result of carrier aggregation, the combining of multiple bands to offer faster data speeds.

Here is a great explanation: https://www.martinlangmaid.com/2021/05/04/why-is-my-iphone-faster-than-my-router/

I've been using a Smarty sim in a CAT19 router for the last 8 months and haven't noticed any throttling.

Thanks!

james_smitha

haroldwren5 I recently updated my sim, situation very like yours. My huawei router supports a dect phone. From day 1 my sim was in the said router everything went well for the first year make and receive calls text internet. Shortly after I begin the second term it is discovered that my incomeing calls are being blocked even though there is nothing in the documentation to support this. I thought that to change one's obligations in a contract notice was required. Three claim that my receiveing calls for a whole year from day one was a mistake, not implied acceptance.  I believe that Ofcom told Three that every sim customer was equal about 5 years ago