Where to find the best deal for 5G sim Mobile Data Rolling contract?

pw23

I'm planning to get a 5G mobile data rolling contract sim to put in a 5G Sim router to give my home faster speed is currently for the last six years. I've been stuck on 2 MB speeds, which is very frustrating when I need to download bigger 20+ gp files

I've checked the MSE comparison Page to see the current best rates for rolling contract unlimited 5G mobile dataBut I do recall there being different ones that also can provide better prices with different providers 

How do you Compare  Mobile data Sim only plans?

I appreciate the best prices are with the phone mobile data providers that piggyback off the Main networks,

Thank you

littleboo

Have you determined which network(s) gives you reliable 4G or 5G coverage ?

housebuyer143

From experience the cheaper ones like smarty etc do terrible in a SIM router. I used smarty for a while and it would just drop out constantly, the speeds would fluctuate wildly and it just wasn't fit for purpose.
I since took out an unlimited EE SIM which is limited to 600gb and 12 tethered devices and I've never had any problems and we get significantly better speeds, upwards of 120gb. We live semi rural and can only get 30mps on wired. 

You need to read the t&c as well as many do not allow you to use the unlimited SIM in a router and if they suspect you are using for this purpose they will cancel the contract or cut you off. Giffgaff didn't allow it when I looked, and I imagine others don't either. It isn't hard for them to check either as not many people use that much data in a mobile phone. 

pw23

littleboo said:

Have you determined which network(s) gives you reliable 4G or 5G coverage ?

No, unfortunately, I don't have time as my current Broadband is going to be cancelled on  The second of September
And I haven't even bought the 5G router yet. Which I hope to get a bargain off eBay.

I 
but I just assumed that any 5G network would give me  better speeds than the  2mb  im  currently getting

And as I live in Southwest Londonl Would definitely be able to get  Me 5G

I checked on the three and Vodafone websites and it said the 5G coverage for my postcode and it states I would have a good coverage indoors and outdoors.

pw23

housebuyer143 said:

From experience the cheaper ones like smarty etc do terrible in a SIM router. I used smarty for a while and it would just drop out constantly, the speeds would fluctuate wildly and it just wasn't fit for purpose.
I since took out an unlimited EE SIM which is limited to 600gb and 12 tethered devices and I've never had any problems and we get significantly better speeds, upwards of 120gb. We live semi rural and can only get 30mps on wired. 

You need to read the t&c as well as many do not allow you to use the unlimited SIM in a router and if they suspect you are using for this purpose they will cancel the contract or cut you off. Giffgaff didn't allow it when I looked, and I imagine others don't either. It isn't hard for them to check either as not many people use that much data in a mobile phone. 

Thanks for this warning, I had no idea that Mobile networks would be aware if you were using a 5G Sim router but that would make sense As I would be consuming Data all day long, which I Definitely would be every   Day/night, so assume they would catch on

So based on this, maybe it'll be better if I go for a standard Line with Broadband service, as I would be entitled to a social tariff, but unfortunately would still be the 2 MB speed.


Is there any evidence that people have been able to get away with using 5G Sim in a Sim Router to provide fast Internet to their property, for the long term?

housebuyer143

pw23 said:

housebuyer143 said:

From experience the cheaper ones like smarty etc do terrible in a SIM router. I used smarty for a while and it would just drop out constantly, the speeds would fluctuate wildly and it just wasn't fit for purpose.
I since took out an unlimited EE SIM which is limited to 600gb and 12 tethered devices and I've never had any problems and we get significantly better speeds, upwards of 120gb. We live semi rural and can only get 30mps on wired. 

You need to read the t&c as well as many do not allow you to use the unlimited SIM in a router and if they suspect you are using for this purpose they will cancel the contract or cut you off. Giffgaff didn't allow it when I looked, and I imagine others don't either. It isn't hard for them to check either as not many people use that much data in a mobile phone. 

Thanks for this warning, I had no idea that Mobile networks would be aware if you were using a 5G Sim Rita but that would make sense to be consuming all day long, which I Definitely would be every day, so assume they would catch on

So based on this, maybe it'll be better if I go for a standard time Broadband service, as I would be entitled to a social Tara, but unfortunately would still be the two MB speed.


Is there any evidence that people have been able to get away with using 5G Sim in a Sim Rita to provide fast Internet to their property, for the long term?

I wouldn't know, but even smarty is better than 2mb so I wouldn't say don't do it. If 3 get alright signal near you then smarty do allow the SIM in a router and it's one of the cheaper ones. It can't hurt to try it.

Even if you get a 4g router as they are cheaper, the speeds will be significantly better than 2mb. 

Before buying a 5g router we had a £20 4g dongle usb in the side of our current router, and that picked up 30gb, so more than adequate. 

pw23

Thanks for the info, what do you think about if I got this cheap 4G USB modem Then tested out the smarty data Sim and if I'm able to get the 30 MB that would be great and more than adequate based on what I've been dealing with

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/405140325259?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=bvxkvf-iros&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=rK3fokEoSIG&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Sim routers seem to cost upwards of £100 so this one above is very appealing, if it would do the job
Mm
If I can get the speed/service the three website shows, would you then expect speed over 10 MB with this modem , Hypothetically speaking?

Besides sMarty, are you aware of any other networks that allow data sim in Sim routers/Internet for all day long/unlimited use ?

housebuyer143

I looked at Tesco for you and no go on that one and couldn't find the info for id mobile. I think smarty is the cheapest then. 

Honestly, I wouldn't want to comment on how well that will work, I've always had mine in a router, and I'm not sure if this is just equivalent to a hot spot which you could do off your phone? 

M25

Best getting the router -if going for 2nd hand- off:

https://uk.webuy.com/ (2 year warranty)

https://www.cashconverters.co.uk/

https://cashgenerator.co.uk/

Best if it's unlocked unless there's a great bargain on a locked device and that happens to be your best 5G signal. Many newer units are listed as "locked" but most won't be.

You'll need to determine what data you need and can get. I have a 5G mobile SIM with Vodafone and use well over 1TB (1000GB) PM on their unlimted plan. No point is paying for something you don't need.

How much data have you used in the last month? You should able to see that in your broadband account.

SIMs:

Vodafone  https://www.vodafone.co.uk/sim-only and low data use: https://www.vodafone.co.uk/sim-only/vodafone-basics

Voxi https://www.voxi.co.uk/sim-only-plans

3 https://www.three.co.uk/sim

giffgaff https://www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-deals

...and lots more all depends on what data you need. Superdrug do dirt cheap SIMs too.

Are you in receipt of any benefits that would allow for a social tariff?  SMARTY (3) do an unlimted SIM for £12.00 https://smarty.co.uk/social-tariff

I've always used mobile (telephone) SIMs in routers as you tend to get a better deal. Some companies might not like that but never had a problem.

PAYG (monthly no contract) might be a good idea for testing for a month and it's easy to jump ship and then get a better deal over 12 months once you settle on your carrier.

Work out your data needs (don't skimp).

flaneurs_lobster

The network's coverage maps are very broad in their interpretation of "availability" at a particular location. The reception (and therefore the 4G/5G speeds you might get) are much more likely to be affected by your dwelling's construction/orientation, position of the router in the house and other local obstructions like buildings and trees.

I live city-centre, all the networks show full 5G coverage at my location. In reality 5G is non-existent indoors (stone-build house, surrounded by 3/4 story terraces) on every network except Vodafone, and that is intermittent. 50m up the street outdoors I've seen 350 Mb/sec on my phone.

Do try and test a SIM from the different networks before you commit to any contract, no need for a router - just put the SIM in a mobile phone and check the coverage. You could do a speed test but this can use A LOT of data at considerable cost.

pw23

Thank you, everyone, for this helpful information and  links ,

I have a three Pay as you go Sim card. I will test out in my iPhone 15 and see what speeds I get and if they are over 5 MB I will get this SMARTY rolling monthly social tariff unlimited data for £12 per month

Looking at the prices online I won't have the money for a 5G router purchased here In the UK

what are your thoughts on this 5G Sim router from AliExpress?

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGplizb