Using old iPhone with unlimited SIM as dongle

tamworthy

Hi folks! After looking at traditional broadband options, I'm becoming more motivated to try using an unlimited SIM with my old iPhone as an alternative internet access option. I've got good 3UK signal at home but their Mi-Fi (mobile broadband) services are rather expensive if I don't opt for like a 24-month contract. I'm thinking of using SMARTY instead.

Has anyone tried using old smartphones as a dongle at home, please? If so, is an unlimited data plan and tethering/hotspotting through the phone enough for home office (emailing, googling, etc.) and the odd streaming (YouTube, Netflix, etc.), please?

Any input appreciated.

Anyway, have a lovely bank holiday weekend!

savergrant

You could try but not great for battery life. I have a 4g router and a lebara sim (which I sometimes use in a spare phone too) and that works fine for my occasional needs.

QrizB

tamworthy said:

Has anyone tried using old smartphones as a dongle at home, please?

Any input appreciated.

A guy I follow on social media is a full-time RVer in the US. He uses old phones to provide a mobile hotspot in his van.

It seems to work well but phones aren't built for long-term hotspot use and his die after a couple of years.

If you want something with a longer life, you can buy an unlocked MiFi or a proper domestic 4G router for not a lot of money.

Something like this (an example, not a recommendation):
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/295544635670

tamworthy

Thanks so much for your insights, savergrant and QrizB. I'll be sure to get a router or an unlocked MiFi device Cheers!

HaroldWhistler

Regarding the Unlimited SIM, a phone should work fine if you're constantly leaving it plugged in technically speaking. However, the battery life on a phone tends to drain quicker when unplugged and might degrade quicker when used as a hotspot in terms of its long term life. 

So probably best to buy an unlocked 4G Mifi device (usually they are around £35-£50) from Currys, John Lewis or Amazon which are designed for specifically being Wifi hotspots. These have the advantage of being able to charge up and be used anywhere even on the move without needing to be connected to the mains.

There are also versions of a Home Router that you plug in like usual to mains power. Instead of plugging in to the Openreach socket, you have a SIM slot (just like a Mobile phone) which you can put the SIM into. These vary in price, but will allow you to have a wider WIFI range and/or connect up to a Home Mesh system/powerlines etc. 

The other thing to mention is that occasionally (and I believe there are Youtubers who have demonstrated this) the Mobile providers will limit the 4G speed of devices that are recognised as Mifi devices, whereas if you use a Mobile phone as a hotspot using the exact same SIM, the "broadband speed" of the phone might be higher (as the Provider is not able to tell it is being used for broadband). Of course, this assumes that the area receives a high enough speed to notice in the first place. 

Smarty is an excellent choice for anyone with a great Three signal. Make sure you have a good Three signal in your area. 

Other alternatives for other networks that do similar 30 day rolling 4G SIMs include Lebara (Vodafone), Asda (Vodafone), Superdrug Mobile (Three), Lyca (O2). Tesco Mobile website sadly says their SIMs are for mobiles only.