Mobile/Portable Wifi Product Recommendation

Cisco001

HollyandCo said:

Thank you, this is a very interesting post.  Can I ask a couple of questions (sorry, I am just not a techy person).

These devices, could it make sense that (at my permanent residence) that I actually ditch the broadband service I have (ISP).  In short, I live in a village where my broadband is naff.   It constantly drops and often my TV buffers.

If I stand outside of my house, I get good coverage to use my mobile phone.  However, in doors, I have to stand in particular rooms or connect to my WIFI router to talk over Whatsapp.   I absolutely hate my Broadband at home!

You could consider outdoor 5G router. For example, TP-link NE210-Outdoor is £150.
So you have one of this, then connect to mesh wifi/ normal router indoor.

I don't know which outdoor 5G router is the best. You may ask the question at ispreview forum, there are more expert.

BFBW

HollyandCo said:

Vitor said:

TP-Link TL-MR6400 4G LTE WiFi Router, SIM Card Slot, 4G Router, 4 LAN Ports, Up to 32 Devices, 2 Antennas, Plug&Play, Parental Controls, Home/Remote, QoS Priority, WAN Connection Backup : Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Thank you.  I had a look at this on Amazon.  I am not a techie person.  The picture of the TP Link, on the Amazon Website, showed the Link Attached to a Router.  The Router looked like it was connected to a phone line.

I won't have a router or a phone line.   Have I misunderstood the setup and how it is used?

It needs only a SIM card.
The picture you saw was just a representation of usage configuration when using the device as a traditional Router, when NOT using a SIM card.
As an aside, There is another model in the same range; TL-MR6500v that gives you the option to plug a phone in to make calls via VoIP. A bit like the arrangement that many are being transferred on to in the U.K.

BFBW

HollyandCo said:

BFBW said:

I wrote out a long list of caveats and recommendations, but a problem with the Browser and all lost.

Simply put, neither suggestion above can has the capability to connect to the 5GHz band, nor can they combine LTE bands. The MR-6400 is from 2016.

If you want something of a similar standard, but can connect to 5GHz, there is the MR-400 for £26
https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=6935364006839
Archer MR400 | AC1200 Wireless Dual Band 4G LTE Router | TP-Link United Kingdom

Of course if you have a penchant for paying over the odds for vintage tech, don't let me stop you   I have a Blackberry you can buy if you like.

For something that can combine 4G bands for higher speeds and has 2.4GHz/5GHz capability at the same price point you were considering, there is https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=8885020623277 for £60
Archer MR515 | 4G+ Cat6 AC1200 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router | TP-Link United Kingdom


Alternatively, an older model that has a similar, but slightly lesser capability for £50 https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=SNETTPLARCMR600
Archer MR600 | 4G+ Cat6 AC1200 Wireless Dual Band Gigabit Router | TP-Link United Kingdom

Step up to 5G mobile broadband? 

https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=6902176112935 £90 delivered.
£150 via Amazon.
Though personally I would avoid a battery powered device, unless I needed portability
Three 5G MiFi Review | ZTE U50 Mobile Broadband

They also have the ZTE MU5001 mentioned in an earlier post, for £120 https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=SMOBZTEMU5001EUNL
Though it's another battery powered device.

I left this work for @Cisco001 but they've gone AWOL
 

Thank you, this is a very interesting post.  Can I ask a couple of questions (sorry, I am just not a techy person).

These devices, could it make sense that (at my permanent residence) that I actually ditch the broadband service I have (ISP).  In short, I live in a village where my broadband is naff.   It constantly drops and often my TV buffers.

If I stand outside of my house, I get good coverage to use my mobile phone.  However, in doors, I have to stand in particular rooms or connect to my WIFI router to talk over Whatsapp.   I absolutely hate my Broadband at home!

If you have a good mobile signal from a network who can offer you unlimited or at least enough data, yes.

Here is the device recommended by @Cisco001: https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=SNETSERLTE2122GR @ £40.
On paper it's better than the other suggested device in their post, but it may be locked to the 3 network. Saying that, it may still work with the Scancom SIM mentioned earlier, as they have SIM on the 3 network if you so choose. Example: https://www.scancom.co.uk/collections/three-preloaded/products/three-1000gb-preloaded-data-sim-per-month-choose-your-expiry
This is the other, unlocked to any network: https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=SACCZTEMF286DR
The ones to which I have linked in my post earlier, are all unlocked for use with any network. More versatile if you don't know how the 3 signal is at the house.

Reading your description of not having a good mobile signal inside(your permanent home) may suggest that an outdoor 5G router may be a better option for you there. A bit more of an initial outlay. You might also want to check on 5G availability in your area.

Grumpy_chap

I have used the EE 4GEE mobile WiFi in the past with success.  There were good prices at Argos but I can't find the same item / successor when looking this evening.

Vitor

- These devices, could it make sense that (at my permanent residence) that I actually ditch the broadband service I have (ISP). - 

Maybe. Although SIM card providers claim to offer 'unlimited' data on some tariffs, buried in the small print will be weasel words about 'reasonable use', so if you're hammering it they'll cut you off.

BFBW

Vitor said:

- These devices, could it make sense that (at my permanent residence) that I actually ditch the broadband service I have (ISP). - 

Maybe. Although SIM card providers claim to offer 'unlimited' data on some tariffs, buried in the small print will be weasel words about 'reasonable use', so if you're hammering it they'll cut you off.

That's all quite vague to be fair. Do you have any actual examples of this happening? That will give us an idea of 'hammering'. 
Note that your statement does not apply a 1TB SIM, as linked to above, as that isn't 'unlimited'.

Vitor

Vadofone seems genuinely unlimited, O2 says if you exceed 650GB/month twice in a 6 month period it will 'review' your usage. 

outtatune

Consider getting 5G home broadband. 
https://www.three.co.uk/broadband/home-broadband

No connection to the phone system, just a router with sim card that you stick near a window. Just done a speed test on my connection and got 325 Mb/s

And of course if you're temporarily staying somewhere else you can just take it with you; all you need is a power socket and some 5g floating around in the air.

You'll have to give up your landline phone though it that's an issue.

HollyandCo

Vitor said:

- These devices, could it make sense that (at my permanent residence) that I actually ditch the broadband service I have (ISP). - 

Maybe. Although SIM card providers claim to offer 'unlimited' data on some tariffs, buried in the small print will be weasel words about 'reasonable use', so if you're hammering it they'll cut you off.

Thanks.   I'm not a heavy user of Data.  I guess the best thing to do is buy the device for the house I will be staying at for a while, then when I come back home, give it a try as I already have the device.  Fingers crossed.

HollyandCo

BFBW said:

Reading your description of not having a good mobile signal inside(your permanent home) may suggest that an outdoor 5G router may be a better option for you there. A bit more of an initial outlay. You might also want to check on 5G availability in your area.

Thanks, 5G just doesn't happen where I live