Why get broadband? Unlimited 5g phone sim, hotspot/cheap 5g routers - what am I missing?

Dcluk95

Hi MSE,

My EE 5g phone gets 150mpbs for it's download speed - why would I get broadband? Surely there's a way of just getting extra sims and either phones or routers and hotspotting my phone's 5g for my house?

I see EE have their own 5g broadband monthly package - why would I buy this? What am I missing here? Thank you all

Neil_Jones

You can hotspot your phone.  Its not intended for it, but it'll work.

You can get routers that connect to mobile internet and then everything just connects to that in the normal way.

Also not everybody can get a decent mobile signal that even works half decently so if you can get 150Mbps then good for you.

dwsjarcmcd

Dcluk95 said:

Hi MSE,

My EE 5g phone gets 150mpbs for it's download speed - why would I get broadband? Surely there's a way of just getting extra sims and either phones or routers and hotspotting my phone's 5g for my house?

I see EE have their own 5g broadband monthly package - why would I buy this? What am I missing here? Thank you all

If you just need BB for phones then perhaps that would work, however, so many other things use wifi, just off the top of my head - TV's, Hive heating, Ring doorbells and CCTV just to name a few! 

My experience of mobile internet routers is that they are nowhere near strong enough to cope with multiple devices

iniltous

Some people do what you are suggesting, and are happy enough, for many though , once inside the dwelling performance of ‘mobile’ broadband can be poor , and as said multiple individual devices connected at the same time can make the experience poor.
The consensus seems to be to use a ‘Mifi’ type device rather than a phone as a hotspot , and before committing to a contract get a PAYG sim and give a try .
The final potential issue , if your mobile reception deteriorates from what it is , how do you complain ? , mobile operators  don’t guarantee service in the same way as a ‘landline’  broadband provider , if you commit to a contract and a day later your mobile broadband at home is unusable ( still working but very slow )  there would be nothing you could do about that.

prowla

150 millibits per second - that's not a lot...

tamworthy

I suppose you are in a lucky position where you can get good phone reception. I am also fortunate enough to receive strong signal. Fellow forumites told me that it really is as simple as using a Mi-Fi device or a router (instead of using old phones, as they are not designed for that particular purpose so they might die quickly). However, I am curious as to how cheap unlocked 4G+ routers are...it seems like it's at least 50 quid for one that has got a SIM slot...

brewerdave

150Mb on 5G ? @Dcluk95 - consider yourself VERY fortunate - I'm not by any means in the back of beyond ,but we can't even get 4G inside the house!
But to comment on your original point - a relation tried the 4G router approach as he couldn't get more than 2Mb over the Openreach system - even tho' he had a usable 4G phone signal he found that the approach wasn't reliable enuf for homeworking - the signal dropped at the most awkward times - he is now paying for a full wireless internet service

Neil49

I get a fair to poor signal with all 4 networks and rely on wifi calling to get me by. As for 5g, not a chance. 

That's why not everyone can go down the route you mention. 

flashg67

I use a 4g router & sim for homeworking -I get a good signal but he ping times seem to cause issues with the VPN someimes (no good for gaming either I'm tol), so it's not a perfect solution but doable for a lot of people.

I'm on the edge of 5g and sometimes get 180Mbps  - I'd upgrade but 5g routers are at a premium cost at the moment

Bigphil1474

Presumably you live alone? Hot spot won't work for anyone else in the house if you go out.

john1

I've recently purchased an "unlocked"   ZYXEL NR5103E 5G terminal/ router Condition: Grade B for £169 ex returned 3UK 

I have used both  Vodafone and 3 sims no problem. Currently using  Smarty monthly (no contract)  unlimited SIM at £18 month. Last night 2130hrs ran speed test  298/73Mbps   this afternoon1430hrs same test conditions 440/57Mbps. ( I have had 770Mps mid morning  different setup but same 3UK 5G mast).  Voda 4G  came in at around 36Mbps at peak time 
Both the Voda and 3UK masts are about 250m from home so 5G is almost LOS except for trees'

Currently bill from Virgin £47.50 for 110Mbps broadband plus home phone monthly (see last paragraph for update) 

Have run the  NR5103E router as main broadband for last 5 weeks (this includes receiving 3UK s/w updates)  and so far, happy there are no unforeseen pitfalls in swapping over.

 So I'm currently  porting home phone VOIP (A&A £1.50month)  and will shortly begin  negotiation / cancelling Virgin broadband unless they come in at £20 monthly. no contract!!

Surprise surprise just received Virgin email reducing BB to £32 monthly as phone service removed. At least that's a start