Data sim for emergency-use-only 4G router?

[Tony1963]

After the power outage this weekend, we've decided that it'd be nice to have an emergency use 4G router. However, as it'd only be used during fibre or power outages, we don't want to pay a monthly fee as it might not get used for a year or so.

I've tried looking on the various service provider websites, but it ain't easy! I'd be happy to preload it with, say, £25 of data allowance, as long as it lasts until we use it all.

We can position the router upstairs on the bedroom window ledge and get about 10mbps download with O2, others are either slower (EE) or non-existent (all others it seems).

Am I asking too much?

Thanks

[S6PNJ]

Can't help with the SIM, but what router are you using please?

[Tony1963]

4G router? Not bought one yet.

[IIIRestorerIII]

Try one of the 12 month preloaded Three sims from Amazon. I've used them when moving house and waiting for my broadband line to be connected.

[SS2.]

Might be worth looking at a Giff Gaff SIM topped up with a bit of credit - say £10. Don't add a Goody Bag.

Any credit will roll over beyond 6 months if, within that 6 months, you:

a) make at least one call, SMS or MMS to another number (not including calls to emergency services or Member Services);
b) make at least one connection to the Internet;
c) make at least one airtime credit or Bundle purchase

Giff Gaff piggybacks onto the O2 network so, if you get good O2 signal, that should be mirrored with Giff Gaff.

[anonymous-user]

I use an EE 'Wifi Mini' device.

https://shop.ee.co.uk/dongles/pay-monthly-mobile-b...

Its tiny and the battery lasts all day. You can use it plugged into USB power as well.

I mostly leave it in my work bag and use it for internet access for my laptop while on the train, or when I'm in someones office and it's too much of a hassle to get onto their corporate wifi without having your fingerprints taken and an anal cavity search. You know what these control-freak IT nerds are like.

I highly recommend it. The data speed is extremely fast. In fact I have used it at home a few times when my landline fibre has gone down, and it's probably been faster than the landline.

[alorotom]

Our FTTH access point has a built in battery backup that lasts (supposedly) upto 36hrs

Yes you’ll lose some Wi-fi capability but even in a power outage with a 4g router it will lose power and become useless

I thought this was the normal openreach install??

[Tony1963]

alorotom said:

Our FTTH access point has a built in battery backup that lasts (supposedly) upto 36hrs

Yes you’ll lose some Wi-fi capability but even in a power outage with a 4g router it will lose power and become useless

I thought this was the normal openreach install??

Ours is FTTC, so not applicable.

[Tony1963]

Lord Marylebone said:

I use an EE 'Wifi Mini' device.

https://shop.ee.co.uk/dongles/pay-monthly-mobile-b...

Its tiny and the battery lasts all day. You can use it plugged into USB power as well.

I mostly leave it in my work bag and use it for internet access for my laptop while on the train, or when I'm in someones office and it's too much of a hassle to get onto their corporate wifi without having your fingerprints taken and an anal cavity search. You know what these control-freak IT nerds are like.

I highly recommend it. The data speed is extremely fast. In fact I have used it at home a few times when my landline fibre has gone down, and it's probably been faster than the landline.

Is that on a monthly subscription?

[Tony1963]

SS2. said:

Might be worth looking at a Giff Gaff SIM topped up with a bit of credit - say £10. Don't add a Goody Bag.

Any credit will roll over beyond 6 months if, within that 6 months, you:

a) make at least one call, SMS or MMS to another number (not including calls to emergency services or Member Services);
b) make at least one connection to the Internet;
c) make at least one airtime credit or Bundle purchase

Giff Gaff piggybacks onto the O2 network so, if you get good O2 signal, that should be mirrored with Giff Gaff.

I’ve read somewhere that some people have had their data speeds severely throttled on Giffgaff. Is that true?

[Mr Pointy]

24GB, lasts for 24 months:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Mobile-Pay-Broadban...

There are others:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=data+sim&ref=nb_s...

[SS2.]

Lord Marylebone said:

I use an EE 'Wifi Mini' device.

https://shop.ee.co.uk/dongles/pay-monthly-mobile-b...

Its tiny and the battery lasts all day. You can use it plugged into USB power as well.

Looks like a good bit of kit.

We have a remote site where there is no ADSL to the property, and where it can be prone to power cuts. For this, we purchased a NetGear Aircard along with its smart cradle docking station - admittedly, a fair bit more expensive than your device.

The site is reasonably close to a cellular mast and we rarely see less than 40Mb/s download speeds. We managed to get an unlimited data package from EE for £20 per month.

Cheaper than a BT landline installation and wired broadband package, plus the Aircard has a long life battery if the mains ever drops out. When we're not at the site, the Aircard gives us 4G on the road, or a backup at home and the office.

[eliot]

SS2. said:

on the O2 network so, if you get good O2 signal, that should be mirrored with Giff Gaff.

Might get a good phone signal but my experience their actual data throughput was really poor. It might show ‘4g’ but was usually struggling to get even a meg of throughput.

[SS2.]

Tony1963 said:

I’ve read somewhere that some people have had their data speeds severely throttled on Giffgaff. Is that true?

Unsure - we only ever used Giff Gaff SIMs in remote devices (M2M connections), never for browsing or for downloading from the 'net.

[Graveworm]

We use a GlocalMe U2 4G router. They have a G3 with more bells and whistles. Biggest advantage is anywhere in the world, without a Sim card you can buy data packages only as and when you need them. It also roams onto the best available Network. No ongoing charges. It also works PAYG. It can take a sim card if that's better for you. It's mostly for travel but also has been for emergences at home.
These are the current UK prices.

[anonymous-user]

Tony1963 said:

Lord Marylebone said:

I use an EE 'Wifi Mini' device.

https://shop.ee.co.uk/dongles/pay-monthly-mobile-b...

Its tiny and the battery lasts all day. You can use it plugged into USB power as well.

I mostly leave it in my work bag and use it for internet access for my laptop while on the train, or when I'm in someones office and it's too much of a hassle to get onto their corporate wifi without having your fingerprints taken and an anal cavity search. You know what these control-freak IT nerds are like.

I highly recommend it. The data speed is extremely fast. In fact I have used it at home a few times when my landline fibre has gone down, and it's probably been faster than the landline.

Is that on a monthly subscription?

You can have it however you want.

If you buy it Pay as you go it costs £59.99 to buy and that includes a couple of Gb of data I think.

I bought it 'pay as you go' and I just stick 3 months worth of data on it for about £20. Ignore what it says on their website, once you buy it, you can log into the 'dashboard' and just add a couple of months or 10Gb or whatever really easily using their top up facility.

So even if you have no data on it, you can log into it still and just top it up.

[Tony1963]

Just to clear this up a bit:

This device and sim might not get used for 18 months, or it might be next week!

I won’t be buying anything that requires any sort of top up if the original data hasn’t been touched.

Ok, if I had to pay £1 per month to keep 20Gb alive until it’s used, that be fine!

[Tony1963]

Looking like Giffgaff’s service would suit us at the mo.

[anonymous-user]

Tony1963 said:

Just to clear this up a bit:

This device and sim might not get used for 18 months, or it might be next week!

I won’t be buying anything that requires any sort of top up if the original data hasn’t been touched.

Ok, if I had to pay £1 per month to keep 20Gb alive until it’s used, that be fine!

The problem is, most providers are now rapidly phasing out, (or have already phased out) those kind of 'keep forever' PAYG options.

They now all want you to top up every month or 3 months or whatever otherwise your unused data or minutes just expires and they cancel your number.

I think the £50 for 12 month sims from Amazon will be your best bet?

[Tony1963]

GiffGaff is a no no, as they no longer do data only sims and you become limited by the original package purchased.

This doesn’t get any easier, does it!