EE Mobile Tethering

mimi1234

In March, I got a new EE mobile phone contract. It came with a Samsung S22 Ultra and unlimited data/texts/calls. I think it was about £75 a month.

I use the data to do some work on my laptop, using a website and Microsoft Office. 

Over the last two or three months, the data has been very poor and I keep getting the loop thing you used to get back in the day when the internet was very slow. This is on my mobile as well when I am just browsing.

I've spoken to EE and have been fobbed off. They told me it was a one off and it would be back to normal but it hasn't been. I've spoken to them a few times but they haven't done anything about it.

We don't have WIFI at home by the way and I live in a 4G area.

***

This might sound really thick but can I get a second contract on the same handset or would I need to buy a new handset? One of my friends is on this unlimited data plan (it's not Three but something run on the same network/portal) and he says it has very fast data/internet.

Or would I be better off just buying my contract out and getting a sim with someone else that has better coverage?

Neil_Jones

Using the phone as a hotspot will work, but it often won't be super fast, effective or maybe even reliable.  For that you need something designed for the job.  A router capable of connecting over the mobile network.

But of ourse you need to check EE's website for your area in case there is a fault they know about, because there's no point buying anything if there's a fault at the mast.  Also you may want to reposition as indoor reception can be patchy at the best of times and you may get a better signal somewhere else in the building.

There are only four mobile networks in the country (Vodafone, o2, EE and Three) - everybody esle piggy backs onto one of these networks.  So if you have poor coverage with EE, there's no point going to RWG or Lycamobile for example as these two piggy back onto EE.  You may want to get some free PAYG sims from the networks to see what sort of network coverage you get where you area.

savergrant

mimi1234 said:

This might sound really thick but can I get a second contract on the same handset or would I need to buy a new handset? One of my friends is on this unlimited data plan (it's not Three but something run on the same network/portal) and he says it has very fast data/internet.

Or would I be better off just buying my contract out and getting a sim with someone else that has better coverage?

Until a couple of years ago it was common for networks to sim lock the phones they supplied and not supply the unlock code until you had paid up the contract. This was outlawed by ofcom so you can put any (uk) sim in your phone and use it. That might be a good temporary solution, give you a month or two on another network whilst ee try to sort out the issues you have.
It is very difficult to get out of a mobile contract without paying up in full. As networks do not/cannot guarantee reception in any particular location. However if you had been receiving a strong signal and had a reasonable expectation of it continuing and signed a contract on that basis you have a good case. I would certainly start badgering them 'There is a problem with my service and the signal has got worse..' if they have switched off a mast or stopped using a frequency they may come to an accommodation. Then again if it is building work or local interference they may see that as outside their control.

cerebus

How many bars signal strength have you got?

Does your 4G normally have a plus next to it and doesn't now?

Have you done a broadband speed test on both your phone and computer?

mimi1234

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the advice.

It used to be 3 or 4 bars for the signal but now it's 1 or 2 - sometimes it just flatlines completely.  No + next to the 4G, it has had a + in the past but not currently.

Mind you if EE are constantly winning awards for best coverage and I am not getting any, other networks may be even worse. 

Newcad

Talk to your friends and acquaintance locally and see what mobile networks they are using, and what they say about it.

I'm fairly rual myself, NW Cumbria, here EE and O2 are fine, Vodaphone is pants and Three is unusable.

During lockdown I had no landline broadband and was tethering through my old phone on EE 3G+ with no problems at all.

walesdave

S22 Ultra is a dual SIM so you could get a cheap SIM only unlimited data deal and have it just for data while keeping your current contract for calls and texts (e.g. SMARTY do a £20/month deal) and then use your phone as a hot spot.

If it were me though I'd get a MIFI device off fleabay and use it with the data only SIM - that way if you're out of the house the internet connection is still available for anyone left at home.

As pointed out in earlier posts, if your EE data speed is poor, then make sure you don't get another EE data only SIM.

I've got a PayAsYouGo SIM in an used unlocked (make sure it's UNLOCKED!) Huawie device (cost about £50) for emergencies.