How to connect device to dongle?

blackstar

Hi all

I currently have Sky and their own WIFI/broadband and Sky use BT broadband for their WIFI and also I have a SIM card also from Sky. I also have Vodaphone for my mobile.

I also have a ring doorbell and ring indoor cameras.
However we have been having issues with Sky's WIFI with it dropping alot and when that happens none of the ring cameras work. 2 months ago there was an issue with BT broadband and for 4 weeks we had no broadband which meant no ring doorbell worked unless I connected it to my Sky Mobile phone or my Vodaphone mobile. Which was useless if I went out with my phone.

What I would like to know is if I can get some kind of dongle or similar which would plug into the wall socked to put in a SIM card into which is far more reliable than my current BT broadband and connect my ring doorbell/ring cameras too on a permanent basis, especially if going away on holiday? 

Would really appreciate some advice.

Neil_Jones

blackstar said:

Hi all

I currently have Sky and their own WIFI/broadband and Sky use BT broadband for their WIFI and also I have a SIM card also from Sky. I also have Vodaphone for my mobile.

This makes no sense.

I think you mean you have Sky internet and it comes over the BT line, yes?

As for the mobile, well Sky piggybacks onto o2 so... okay fine.

Which Sky router do you have?

Some of the Wifi on Sky routers (particularly the older SR ones) is summed up as basically being crap.

The Sky Q hub is apparently much better.

oldernonethewiser

As above, this makes no sense.

Who provides your broadband?

Your SIM has nothing to do with the doorbell.

blackstar

Thanks all, maybe to make it simple I'll explain that I want to connect my ring door bell to another network and not to Sky's.

So what do I need exactly to connect my ring doorbell to a different WIFI and not to Sky's.

Prism

Its a bit confusing if you have Sky Broadband or BT Broadband since you mentioned both. Both probably supply a dongle based SIM card option but it will cost more, and I believe they don't turn it on unless the main broadband fails.

If you wanted to ditch your current broadband and go for a 5g setup then that seems to be an option Best 5G routers - Available to buy in the UK

blackstar

Either put my spare Sky SIM into a USB dongle or put it into one of these? Which is better?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0D73918X4/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_7?smid=A2C1ANCUH9UN&psc=1

blackstar

 I ended up getting a sky SIM somehow and I pay a fee each month for it. I pay £10.00 per month with sky for unlimited calls and texts but only 5gb of data. To get unlimited data I have to pay £40.00 per month. I saw EE have a deal of £19.99 per month for unlimited data and other stuff. Please see pics. 

I'm also with vodaphone, maybe I could ask them if I am already a customer if they can offer me another SIM for unlimited data for £20.00 per month.

What do you think is my best bet of all these options? Thanks

flaneurs_lobster

I think your best bet would be to try and sort out your Sky broadband service. Have you reported the faults to them?

There's little point in wasting more money on mobile broadband routers and SIM plans if you are still paying Sky for a service that's not working properly.

Heedtheadvice

Well said!

I too am a bit confused with what you sat is failing. Is it the WIFI or the Broadband signal to your router from Sky via BT line?

Do you have anything connected via Ethernet. If that is failing then it is Broadband or router that is the issue.

If you only have WIFI devices in use then it could be as above or the WIFI signal... and is it all devices?

 If that is not known then you could look in the Router logs and stats to see if you have a good broadband connection. That might be beyond your tech knowledge?

To investigate the WIFI signal you could download an app called WIFI Analyser. That can show you graphically and the figure of WIFI signal strength. It needs to be as high as possible and be in a part of the radio spectrum (channel) where there is no other competing signal for best reception.

Also show you if you are using 2.4 or 5GHz system. Latter is faster but former has better connection over distance.

If you can do any or all of that or if you need more advice post back on here to get more help. If struggling can you get a person better with tech to help?

blackstar

Yes we have tried to sort out with Sky but after many months they have been unable to resolve the issue. We have tried to connect the Sky Q box with vodaphone but at times the sky q box wouldn't recognise vodaphone and only works with Sky. So we are stuck with Sky for Sky tv and want to keep Sky.

So only other option is another provider for the rest of the devices in the home sadly. 

blackstar

But the problems with Sky Q and non Sky routers are very well known.