Temporary accommodation with no internet

DevilDamo

A friend of mine has just moved into temporary accommodation. This accommodation does not have or allow setting up your standard broadband packages, etc…

What is the best way for him to utilise WiFi of which phone, laptop and TV can connect to?

Stocard

I’ve been in that exact situation before when I had to stay in short term housing and honestly the whole “no broadband allowed” thing always felt a bit outdated to me. When I moved into a place like that I just used my phone as a hotspot and it actually worked fine for most stuff. I was streaming Netflix on my laptop and the speed was good enough, the only problem was chewing through my data allowance like crazy.

Another time I grabbed one of those unlimited data SIMs and put it into a little portable WiFi router from Amazon. That was a lifesaver because I could connect my TV and laptop at the same time without draining my phone battery. I don’t really get why landlords or housing providers still ban proper broadband though. If someone’s staying there longer than a couple of weeks it feels like basic infrastructure.

Some people will say just use your phone but I think it depends on how much you’re online. If he’s working remotely or streaming a lot then a dedicated portable router with an unlimited SIM is the only real option. Otherwise he’ll just be constantly stressing about data caps.

Curious what others think though. Am I being unreasonable expecting internet to be seen as essential now, like electricity or water?

Sam_666

unlimited data sim
uswitch
smarty
30 day contract

MattMattMattUK

Almost all fixed line broadband contracts are for twelve months or more which is why temporary accommodation does not allow them, it would cause issues when people leave and whilst technically not the landlords problem it would likely become so and/or cause additional friction. 

The best solution is just to tether, if one needs more data just add an eSIM to your phone with one of the cheap SIM only unlimited data options.

Flugelhorn

another vote for portable wifi routers and a data sim card

teaselMay

If they use plenty of data 3's 4/5G mobile broadband with their proper router. That's been my house broadband for nearly 2 years, in 2 different houses. It's been faster and more reliable than previous proper broadband and Virgin broadband in the first of those houses. They do, or did, a month by month contract if it's short term.

flaneurs_lobster

4G mifi unit from CeX, about £15. Unlimited data sim on month-at-a-time contract is about £15 (haven't checked which is cheapest at the moment, ID? Smarty?). if you want walk-in/takeaway then Superdrug is £20/mth.

All this is, of course, with the proviso that OP's mate can get a decent mobile signal in his temp digs with at least one of the networks. If at all possible check with a phone before shelling out for kit/SIM.

Hotspotting off a mobile is fine if there's sufficient data allowance, but doesn't do the phone much good if the usage is extensive.

Frozen_up_north

Using a phone as a hotspot is fine for a very temporary solution, but far from ideal. I have a 5G TP-Link NX200 mobile network router and an EE unlimited SIM from Scancom via Amazon.

This particular router shows data used per month, which is handy if you have a small amount of data per month SIM. Pre-paid Scancom SIMs can be good value, but probably not if you only want one for a few weeks.

This OFCOM page has coverage links for the 4 UK networks

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/mobile-coverage-checker/frequently-asked-questions