Can I use my unlimited data sim in a router?

Posted 22nd Nov 2023 (Posted 19 h, 42 m ago)

Hi long story but want to do away with my internet provider. O2 has the best coverage in my area and was thinking of getting an unlimited data sim and a router for my internet use. Heavy useage however as have a busy household and lots of devices. Wound this work? Also would o2 have any problem with this? Thanks

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19 h, 22 m ago
Maybe check out 'smarty'. If I recall correctly they use o2 network and I know they allow unlimited tethering on their data plans.
19 h, 17 m ago
Smarty are owned by, and use the Three network. Three are definitely the most broadband friendly option if you can get good signal and speeds.

As for O2 signal, your networks that piggyback on them are Giffgaff, Sky, Tesco and KCom Mobile. And none of them have terms and conditions that really permit such a use case unfortunately.
18 h, 35 m ago
Yeah - you gotta read the small print on what they define as "reasonable or fair use". Either they throttle your speeds or disable all together.
16 h, 50 m ago
I would think all networks will have some sort of "reasonable" clause, as unlimited SIM data is meant for mobile phones, so they factor into the price that no one can actually use that much on their phone.
19 h, 35 m ago
O2 is the one company that says no to this. Its questionable legally if they are allowed to enforce this. But they insist you must only use your SIM in the device it was intended for.

You would need to get a broadband SIM instead from O2 if you want to do this. And unlimited broadband SIMs from O2 have a fair use limit of 650GB per month before you are cut off.

Anyone else is fine. Three, EE, Vodafone based networks don't care. You can easily use a phone SIM from them in a router. Are any of the others any good, even if you need to install a small antenna for it for example?
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19 h, 32 m ago
I’ll have to check the coverage with these sims not sure, what do you mean small antenna? Thanks for your reply
19 h, 20 m ago
As a general rule of thumb you can check checker.ofcom.org.uk/en-…age and put your postcode in. If you get a green tick for indoor data, and enhanced outdoor data, they are worth exploring to see if they will be worth trying out for broadband.

Many 4G and 5G Routers support external antennas. Meaning you can plug in an aerial to it to boost signal even if you live in an area where signal is weaker than what would be ideal. This ranges from a couple of small 'rabbit ear' antennas on the back of the router itself, to an aerial on the outside of your house pointing towards to nearest transmitter tower. They can make a dramatic difference to signal and speeds.
15 h, 8 m ago
Doesn't get much cheaper & simpler (sic) at total circa £147 for 24m truly unlimited 4G/5G via 3,
payable via monthly payments hovering around £6.
12 h, 0 m ago
Generally mobile data is a lot less consistent in speed so if you do have heavy bandwidth requirements then you may find that at the busiest times there's not enough available.
11 h, 26 m ago
I used a 3 mobile sim in a Huawei router for 2 years.
We have a decient 3 signal around where I live and with 4G it was quicker than what I was previously getting via wired broadband.
So if you eventually are able to get it, maybe check their routers.
8 h, 50 m ago
be warned its not real broadband it will do ip sharing etc no port forward
5 h, 59 m ago
With exception to Three when specifically using the 3Internet APN - This disables CGNAT and will act like a traditional broadband connection with its own dedicated IP address