Using a VPN while abroad
Next January through March we are travelling around France, Spain and Portugal. As we want to have internet access on phones and iPads we've got a TP-Link MiFi and intend to purchase a Tiekom Data-Only SIM card. Would a VPN on the iPad work through the MiFi? Sorry if my description here is not too good but hopefully you'll get the gist of what I'm trying to ask. 
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Not sure about an ipad but it certainly works on our android devices.
We are currently in Portugal having travelled through France and Spain.
We have only used the VPN when wanting to stream UK TV channels. You have to turn it on first before trying to connect to say BBC i player or it says you are out of the country and won't let you connect.
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I use NordVPN even when connecting direct on 4G, as I have encountered intermittent problems accessing BBC Iplayer , Netflix and Amazon Prime when abroad, which are all area specific. Certainly using site wifi you will need a VPN.
Also, you should always use a VPN if doing personal banking online away from your home network, for data security - whether wifi, 4G or 5G.
I used to use Goose VPN (Caravan Club offer), but both the BBC and Netflix sussed it straight away (error message "you are using a proxy server" !!! )and blocked me. No such issues with Nord.
I can even watch F1 in the UK by using a Belgian (legal) streaming service and logged into a Brussels VPN.
Whatever device you are using, initiate the VPN to a UK server before accessing the service you want.
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NutsyH wrote "Also, you should always use a VPN if doing personal banking online away from your home network, for data security - whether wifi, 4G or 5G."
Don't do much in the way of internet banking whilst away but I've always just used my Iphone as a hotspot without a "belt & braces" VPN. Wouldn't use a public wifi though. How hackable is a phone that is connecting via a random signal?
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Me too. 🤣🤣
We have a Cromecast which works fine at home, can stream Netflix, Disney etc no problem to the gKids TV. Even took it out to the MH worked great, can't get it to work over here it will just not connect.
I believe both devises have to be on the same network but we can't get the Cromecast to recognise the mifi or OHs phone. So no Netflix 🙁
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Problem with Cromecast sorted, it turns out that we can 'cast' to the TV via the mifi but not direct from our phones mobile data. The reason is our phones security is WPA2 this is not supported by Cromecast.
We have now managed to 'cast' from both our phones and my Kindle Fire tablet to the MHs TV using the mifi, no VPN was needed.
Thanks to YT for his help and patience in working through this with me 😊
I hope the OP sees this and it helps him with his original question.
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I had always thought that mobile data is encrypted which was confirmed by a Google search " Accessing the internet via your cellular network is secure. Data transferred through 5G, LTE, and 4G connections are encrypted" Now I suppose using a VPN is an extra layer but some observers question whether some VPN's are actually as secure as they make out to be? I can understand the use the use of VPN for streaming purposes as we have done in the past whilst on site WiFi. I hope it goes without question that everyone has some sort of security software on their device which is also an addition layer?
David
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You would need to be GCHQ to hack any mobile phone message let alone one connectied to a bank. As David points out there are several layers of encoding. Not so sure a phones security software is any protection because that is more about defense from viruses. I have no idea to what degree of protection it offers against spyware e.g. keystroke monitors. While I do use my phone for banking using the bank's App over a mobile network I am wary of using it over public WiFi.
peedee
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+1👍🏻, it gets UK users the American Netflix-more Movie choices. Plus Hulu👍🏻
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YT am I correct in that you are saying you can use your 4G mobile data without a VPN? We don’t bother with TV generally, as we only go over there in the better weather. However, when we were in a France in June I tried to watch a Grand Prix. That was on the Sky Go App and it told me I was out of the country. Same thing happened with the All 4 App, when I tried for CH4. That was on an EE contract through BT and on Other halves O2. Are other operators different?
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Yes, that's correct.
We are over here at the moment and it's working that way for both of us no VPN require to connect to any of the iplayers.
We've always needed to use on in the past even when over here in the Spring.
Make sure you are on your mobile data, I turned off the WiFi choice. Have to say I was surprised it worked but yes it does.
We do have a VPN on our phones which is a free one from the Google play store.
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AD, our VPN is a free one from Google playstore. As mentioned we only use it to stream programmes. At the moment not needing it unless we use a sites WiFi, which is very rare. We either use our phones mobile data or connect to the mifi if wanting to 'cast' it to the TV.
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