Mi-fi in UK

AngusPiloteCamper
AngusPiloteCamper Forum Participant Posts: 29
edited July 2020 in Parts & Accessories #1

Hi, looking for recommendations for a good PAYG deal for mobile broadband when touring. My experience is that wi-fi can be hit or miss from site to site.

Any advice please, on which network and good PAYG deals ?

Thanks.

 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #2

    I'd go for an unlocked mifi unit so you're not tied to a network.

    Several posters have recommended 3 Network's Internet on Legs which seems a good buy at often around £30 on Amazon for 24gb lasting for 2 years. 

    I nearly went down this route but instead settled for using my phone data and we both tether pads to my phone.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,303 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #3

    We have an old 3G MiFi, on which I have used the 3 Internet with legs sims that TW mentions. However, now generally tether to one of our two phones. As we also have BT broadband I get 8GB a month for £10, which is totally adequate, unless you want to stream TV. Although that is on a sim only contract rather than pay as you go.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited July 2020 #4
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • mnlatham
    mnlatham Forum Participant Posts: 108
    edited July 2020 #5

    Hi, we have used a Vodafone mobile wifi unit for the last 3 years whilst travelling through France, Spain and the UK. Its a contract data sim giving 50GB a month £25. We use it with our Smart TV to watch Netflix and Sky Go on a laptop. Vodafone currently have an unlimited data sim for £28 month. I suppose it depends on how much you want to use and are prepared to pay.

  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited July 2020 #6

    Mine is a 3 mifi and use at home as downloads are much better that BT fibre speeds. costs me £17 pm unlimited and can just plug into caravan mains when away. 

  • dave the rave
    dave the rave Forum Participant Posts: 806
    500 Comments
    edited July 2020 #7

    I use 3 legs and it is usually very good but be aware it does not seem to work in places like Altneharra or the Gairloch!

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,142 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #8

    I doubt anything works there other than basic GPRS😄

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #9

    We have 3 internet with legs, on a 2yr contract for £22 pm but the first 6 months are at £11pm, and that is unlimited WiFi. Reception is generally very good, but with most mobile networks there are the odd blind spot.

  • KjellNN
    KjellNN Club Member Posts: 8,670 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2020 #10

    We use 3 both here and abroad. Like Another David we buy a preloaded SIM when required.  The £43 one will last us most of the 2 years......especially now  we have not been away since October 2019!

    At the moment we have one part used, and a new one "in stock".  The 2 years only starts when you first use it.

  • AngusPiloteCamper
    AngusPiloteCamper Forum Participant Posts: 29
    edited August 2020 #11

    Am smiling at the comments ref Altnaharra and Gairloch. While 5G is being rolled out across the UK, a 2G signal in Western Isles and Hebrides is a luxury ! We tour a lot there and I sympathise with the local folk trying to run a business without even a decent phone signal. Some areas aren't even covered by a TV signal. Hard to believe in this hi-tec digital age, but true. 

    Thanks everyone for your valuable feedback on Mi-fi.Sounds like 3 mobile sim is fairly well tried and tested, so will give it a go on a sim-free unit.

     

  • IanTG
    IanTG Forum Participant Posts: 419
    100 Comments
    edited August 2020 #12

    Another vote for Three’s internet with legs package. We too get cards from Amazon (buy in advance when on offer) and use them in a Huewai mobile router - also from Amazon. Supports multiple devices simultaneously. Always intended for use when abroad (both with caravan and long haul flying hols) but often now use in UK when local WiFi is weak.

  • ob1
    ob1 Forum Participant Posts: 50
    edited August 2020 #13

    I use Smarty Mobile you can get 30gb for £10 month or totally unlimited for £20 month they use the 3 network I have normally had a good signal it is amazing how much data you use if you stream tv etc. There is no contract so I just pay a month at at time as and when required. 

  • Busyelf
    Busyelf Forum Participant Posts: 76
    edited August 2020 #14

    Just been away to Kessingland White House Beach site, and some of the attractions near there were book-online-only. Trying to get a decent internet signal was very frustrating to say the least. I signed up for the year subscription to the Club W-Fi- and it took me 3 hours to send and e-mail with attachments.
    I believe that this is something that the club as a whole should look into.

    On rainy days the Wi-Fi was so overeloaded it was impossible to even maintain a connection. I imagine the kids are looking for entertainment online when they can't go out and enjoy the play facilities outside. We also purchased a Wi-Fi dongle and signed up to Smarty. £10.00 for 30 GB data per month. although this was sufficient for my needs, it wouldn't have supported live video streaming, in the area we were in.

    I have yet to try other sites, maybe some are better than others, but I guess it's down to bandwidth and the number of users. on the Club's Wi-Fi.

    Prior to this we were at a commercial site near Cleethorpes when I tethered to my phone, (3 Network).as there was no on-site Wi-Fi, the signal was good enough to Stream a live broadcast, to our servers ( see carltonradio.co.uk) for broadcasting.

  • Linksdale
    Linksdale Forum Participant Posts: 32
    edited September 2020 #15

    Have a look at the Three Home-Fi router, uses 4G (latest router uses 5G). I have used it all over the country and at home it beats my non-fibre Plusnet/BT hands down.