Mobile Router

lindabea

I'm currently with Sky broadband, but I'm considering cancelling and buy a mobile router TP-link 6400 or something similar.  Couple of questions 

1 Are these routers suitable for permanent use in the home or are they only for odd occasions 
2 How do I top up the sim card?  Will I have to transfer the sim card to my phone and then back to the router or will it still work with an auto monthly top-up.

Would welcome any comments/advise please     

matelodave

I had a TP-Link M-7350 which worked fine for a couple of years until it died which was a bit irritating as they aren't everso cheap.

It was only used when we went away in our caravan or on holiday. I just use Three 24Gbit Paygo sims so never actually topped them up as we've got FTTP at home, so its only used when we are away.

I've now got a Huawei B535 which performs just as well if not better. It's designed for 24/7 operation and has the advantage of being able to accommodate external antenna's. It will work from the mains or a 12v supply whereas the TP-Link unit used a mobile phone charger.

I was quite happy with the TP-Link unit, just annoyed that it gave up the ghost. I guess the 6400 is quite happy for 24/7 operation but apart from that I've no opinion.

Neil49

A major consideration is the speed and strength of the mobile signal in your area. This will dictate which of the 4 networks you should consider and then check the cost of providers who use them.

Uswitch has some decent deals as a starting point. 

lindabea

Thank you both for your replies.  Regarding my question 2, I was thinking of using an unlimited data sim on a 1 month rolling contract.  But I'm not sure if the top-up process would work while the sim is in the router.  Can someone please explain how this would work  

Neil_Jones

lindabea said:

Thank you both for your replies.  Regarding my question 2, I was thinking of using an unlimited data sim on a 1 month rolling contract.  But I'm not sure if the top-up process would work while the sim is in the router.  Can someone please explain how this would work  

No different to topping up your phone credit.  You don't take the SIM out your phone to top up do you?  Why do you think you need to take the data SIM out of the router?

If its unlimited data there would be no top up anyway and if its a monthly payment you just pay on your credit/debit card through the website.

flashg67

If you have an automatic payment set up, the sim will automatically keep working, up to any data limit you may have.

I used a Lebara unlimited sim for 12 months in a Huawei router until I got 'proper' broadband. Do check signal with different sims rather than trusting the online coverage checkers..

savergrant

There is a technical difference between a phone sim and a data device sim. Some phone sims will not work in a data device (my lyca sim doesn't). Also be aware that the provider may send you sms texts which the router will not be able to receive. So it may be an idea to take it out of the router and check it in a phone from time to time.
I found a lebara sim worked fine in a 4g router myself.

matelodave

Both my Smarty (Three) and 1p mobile  (EE) phone sims work in my Huawei router although I usually use a Three 24Gb/24 month sim in the router when we go away.

james_smitha

lindabea if it is not too late, I use mobile internet as a home solution. It is cheaper and faster than fixed line, but it depends on your location

ANNA

Hello,

I have a similar question too!

I'm looking at buying a Smarty data sim and a compatible 4G wi-fi router. I'm looking at the Three 4G routers and notice two types - portable mobile battery-operated and mains plug in home broadband routers. Could the Smarty sim go in either type? I notice that Three contracts for sim and router cost a lot more than sim and portable router.

matelodave

Personally I wouldn't use a mifi (battery operated portable router) for long time use. We did have a TP-Link unit which we used in our caravan but it died, possibly because the battery was being continuously cooked. I replaced it with a Huawei mains unit - this one - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unlocked-B535-232-External-Antennas-Worldwide/dp/B07ZFSX8LB/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=huawei+4g+router&qid=1697043473&sr=8-4

You'll get much better performance from a mains operated one because it will have better antenna's and it wont be power limited like a battery unit.

I paid around £80 but my mate found a cheap 4g router (Strong) online for around £35 which works just as well.

We've tried them both with Three (Smarty), EE (Ip Mobile) and Vodafone sims. Three and EE work where I live but Vodafone doesn't. However VF works where my mate uses his but Three and EE don't, so you need to ensure that you have a decent service where you want to use it