Need a portable hot spot recommendation

[jackg]

I'm looking for a WiFi Hotspot that will work in the UK with 4G either with or without an unlimited sim (I'm planning on using one I can take with me and avoid line rental that gets paid on landlines).

Does anyone have a Hotspot that works well that could offer a suggestion?

[1713848099]

1713848099

[1713848099]

1713848099

[1713848099]

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[LoyceMobile]

Why not just use Tether on Android?

[jackg]

I have a couple of smart devices and they prefer to connect to something other than a the phone controlling them and I can't seem to work out a way around it.

[Baronets]

I use a mix of free WiFi, bluetooth and phone tethering. I've been on Asda payg bundles, which is really O2. I get unlimited calls and text, and 25Gb for £25 - that a contractless 30 day payment. No problems with tethering through USB or bluetooth, but I haven't bothered to checck to see if that is the best deal at the moment. I've got an old Huawei basic smartphone, and that copes with the setup admirably.

As soon as I've set up the solar on the van, I'll start to use a long range WiFi receiver, and link it through a 12volt domestic router. That will allow me to use an RJ45 Ethernet connector as well. A cheap HP Netbook gives me well over 9 hours on the battery. I suspect this is because it is fanless, and contains an SSD. I've been given a 12 violt charger for it, and I'm hoping this will reduce my dependence on McD etc.

[jackg]

I noticed EE do a similar cheme to that (which I'd put in the Hotspot) of unlimited everything for £20 contract ove 2 years or £25 a month...

I actually think my ipad will take a sim which will probably be the way I go as then they're two separate devices.

If you're running Ubuntu on that laptop it's probably why, my old Samsung (who recently celebrated their 9th birthday) has a battery that lasts about 4 hours with Windows and 14 on Ubuntu.... The operating system is so much more efficient.

[Jet Cash]

The Netbook is running Ubuntu. I've got Mint on an SSD for the notebook, but I switched back to Windows because I forgot some passwords. Windows is such a last century OS with a myopic autocratic philosophy - it's worse than the EU. . I need to get back to Linux.

I keep getting interested in new things. I want to experiment with  a Latte Panda with a streaming cable. The digital radio with text, video of audio output looks interesting as well. That would free us from the current Internet controls, and give us direct P2P communications. (RTL  SDR receiver ).

[Vod]

and 25Gb for £25 - that a contractless 30 day payment.

So jealous of the population density of other countries.

In Canada I get 10GB for about $120/month. 

[Jet Cash]

In Canada I get 10GB for about $120/month. 

I got that pricing wrong. It was based on the old double data offer. The current prices following the update to the standard rates are -
£5 - was 200MB, now 250MB
£10 - was 2GB, now 3GB
£12 - was 3GB, now 4GB
£15 - was 5GB, now 6GB
£20 – was 8GB, now 9GB
£25 – was 12GB, now 15GB

All bundles include unlimited free texts, and the £20 and £25 bundles include unlimited calls to UK landlines and mobiles.

Smarty ( The Three network ) is offering unlimited data and calls for £18.75 per month. I think Three is owned by the Chinese Billionaire family that have just bought the Greene King brewery chain.

[gentlemand]

Huawei E5770s.

It has a much, much bigger battery than the average mifi thing. I think it's 5200 mah and can be used as a power bank too. The only infuriating thing is the on button which is unprotected and usually goes on in one's bag and drains it.

You can often find O2 branded ones for less than half the cost of an unlocked one and then unlock it yourself which is what I did. The O2 firmware can be a bit fiddly but I've taken it to plenty of other countries and it roamed and connected rapidly.

[jackg]

Thanks gentlemand, I bought a tplink before your post and it started off a bit poorly but I've moved it near a window and it seems to reach 11mbps which I think is quite high (probably higher than I'll need)...

The tplink as 4000mah and I'm going to switch between keeping it plugged in and taking it out just when I'll need it...

My 3 sim works out at £17.50 a month since the first 6 months are half price.

[marcotheminer]

Huawei E5770s.

It has a much, much bigger battery than the average mifi thing. I think it's 5200 mah and can be used as a power bank too. The only infuriating thing is the on button which is unprotected and usually goes on in one's bag and drains it.

You can often find O2 branded ones for less than half the cost of an unlocked one and then unlock it yourself which is what I did. The O2 firmware can be a bit fiddly but I've taken it to plenty of other countries and it roamed and connected rapidly.

I've used this, Huawei, no complaints - super easy plug and play.

[snakey]

Why not just use Tether on Android?

Tether has lot of disadvantage apart from draining your mobile battery.
They have a capped speed and limited simultaneous connection. It becomes very hard to keep the network alive if you are on some call on the same sim card.


@Op, there are few providers which i have heard are good:

SSE Unlimited Fibre Plus
NOW Broadband Brilliant Broadband
Post Office Unlimited Fibre Broadband

All the above three have hotspot device option which you can carry with you anyplace.