What do yo use for wi(fi &internet

The laird

The laird

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When away in van what system do you use and how good is it
goingbto be getting things in place so in near future when retired we can use when long time in van
 
We have been to places with poor mobile reception but the mifi works a treat, and that’s without using the aerial. I use three but with an unlimited data package, just one hours tv on HD uses 2gb of data. But when abroad you are only allowed 19gb, this limits its use in Europe. As I use the sim from my phone in the mifi, I carry a payg sim for my phone so that I can use that, but I turn of data whilst that sim is in place. The mifi also gives you all the advantages of Wi-fi in your van.
 
Fisherman said:
We have been to places with poor mobile reception but the mifi works a treat, and that’s without using the aerial. I use three but with an unlimited data package, just one hours tv on HD uses 2gb of data. But when abroad you are only allowed 19gb, this limits its use in Europe. As I use the sim from my phone in the mifi, I carry a payg sim for my phone so that I can use that, but I turn of data whilst that sim is in place. The mifi also gives you all the advantages of Wi-fi in your van.
Click to expand...
What about your phone number so that friends can phone you, while you are swapping sims?
I was thinking of switching off data on all our phones and tablets and using an unlimited SIM hotspot in a mifi to connect our other things through wifi. Then we could have payg sims at most in our tablets just for emergencies. The only problem is my phone number and unlimited calls has disappeared into a mifi.
The big advantage I hoped for is an external aerial which ought to give much more signal in remote places. What mifi and what aerial do you have?
 
Huawei mifi with a three sim. £8.00 month @ 20gb. Excellent coverage and cannot recall the last time I didn’t have a signal anywhere in the UK.
Only used for internet as have satellite for tv.
 
ATM Three with unlimited everything for data calls and texts.

PAYG SIM for incoming, currently on O2 network GiffGaff, (but I could change that any time to another PAYG one, whichever seems best). This is my regular number that is given out to businesses etc.

Friends and family know both numbers, if one doesn't work they try the other one. Or send a text. Or leave an answerphone message.

These both live in a twin SIM 'phone, to which I tether.

By the nature of my 'phone (dual standby, not dual active), only one SIM may be active on 3G/4G (the Three one) whilst the other can only use 2G. So the PAYG network for incoming voice is chosen for best overall 2G coverage.

When abroad, Three data fair usage is 20 Gbytes/month in the EU. I find that sufficient since I don't stream a lot of video. If I did run out I could pay GiffGaff for a data package for a month and get, I think, up to another 20 Gbytes fair usage, but that would knock out the Three SIM because it doesn't work on 2G. Or I could get a data boost from Three instead and carry on as normal.

Never had to do that yet.

If I wanted a more serious setup, such as a MiFi, maybe with an external antenna, I'd pop in the Three SIM and carry on, business as usual on the 'phone. If the signal is weak (mine is a panel van, all steel) I have occasionally put the 'phone into a waterproof clip top food box and put it on the roof, reaching through a skylight. Can't hear voice calls that way, but there is always the answerphone and missed calls log, and must remember to bring it in before setting off, though I do have a tether fed back through the skylight so it wouldn't be lost.

Works for me, I am not an "always on" person, obsessed with being always connected and in touch.

Basically a twin SIM 'phone is my recommendation, mine is a Moto 6, Amazon themselves supply their special version, with extra memory as well, otherwise twin SIM 'phones are hard to come by in the UK. but very popular elsewhere.

Apple people can't do this, AFAIK.
 
Fisherman said:
We have been to places with poor mobile reception but the mifi works a treat, and that’s without using the aerial. I use three but with an unlimited data package, just one hours tv on HD uses 2gb of data. But when abroad you are only allowed 19gb, this limits its use in Europe. As I use the sim from my phone in the mifi, I carry a payg sim for my phone so that I can use that, but I turn of data whilst that sim is in place. The mifi also gives you all the advantages of Wi-fi in your van.
Click to expand...

How big is your TV? :oops:

On a TV set with a screen smaller than 32", there is no discernible difference in viewing between SD and HD and you only use around 1gb per hour.
 
Derekoak said:
What about your phone number so that friends can phone you, while you are swapping sims?
I was thinking of switching off data on all our phones and tablets and using an unlimited SIM hotspot in a mifi to connect our other things through wifi. Then we could have payg sims at most in our tablets just for emergencies. The only problem is my phone number and unlimited calls has disappeared into a mifi.
The big advantage I hoped for is an external aerial which ought to give much more signal in remote places. What mifi and what aerial do you have?
Click to expand...
Do as mark says, your number has to change only one sim per number is allowed
 
maingate said:
How big is your TV? :oops:

On a TV set with a screen smaller than 32", there is no discernible difference in viewing between SD and HD and you only use around 1gb per hour.
Click to expand...
I have unlimited data so it makes no difference.
 
I feel that the mifi offers much better coverage, and gives all the benefits of Wi-fi for your tablets phones etc. Our iPads are Wi-fi only they cannot be connected to the mobile network. The mifi stops the need for hotspot, gives you tv, and all from one device. Many who used to use satellite now use a mifi. But as a back up I carry a small satellite dish when heading out to remote areas we have not been to before. But to date I have never needed to use it, we have always got a signal with the mifi.
I would not have heard of a mifi if it was not for being on here, yet another benefit from being on this forum.
 
I use my iPhone with a 3 sim, unlimited data, unlimited calls, unlimited texts @ £18 p/month. Then when I want to use the iPad I just hotspot off it. It works very well too as the iPad Pro is sim enabled and I can answer calls on it at the same time.
 
My ph has duel sim slots ,xgody from china £46 and works the same a expensive ones.
 
I still use my iBoost wifi antenna to find a free wifi signal as Im some kind of masochist I think. I have a generous amount of data with Vodafone so I can just turn on the hotspot but oh no! I have to be crawling around on the roof or clagging the antenna on windows and then scanning for open frequencies or BT Fon or SFR in France to try and latch onto some free wifi. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction if and when it eventually works after several hours of swearing and banging about the van. When ultimately it fails I just turn on the 4g hotspot on me phone. 😡
 
We just use a mi-fi on EE and even though we’ve never been abro we have been to the top of Scotland without any problems and if we run out of data we can just top it up there’s a phone shop in Oban and he did tell us that was the best phone provider for going there as its a good signal, and he wasn’t wrong....we only use the mi-fi as we’re not very tech minded!!.. :sneaky:
 
A minor point, all UK networks claim something like 90% + population coverage, but that doesn't mean land area. In remote places where there are very few people, which is quite a lot, there is often no coverage, that just wouldn't make business sense for a tiny amount of use. Mobile data is nowadays by far the best general solution, but when it is just not there, WiFi from a local place is still invaluable. If you really must be connected.
 
barryd said:
I still use my iBoost wifi antenna to find a free wifi signal as Im some kind of masochist I think. I have a generous amount of data with Vodafone so I can just turn on the hotspot but oh no! I have to be crawling around on the roof or clagging the antenna on windows and then scanning for open frequencies or BT Fon or SFR in France to try and latch onto some free wifi. It gives me a great sense of satisfaction if and when it eventually works after several hours of swearing and banging about the van. When ultimately it fails I just turn on the 4g hotspot on me phone. 😡
Click to expand...
I,ve had mine gaffa taped to the end of my beachcaster taped to the bike rack before now :D EE 20g a month payg is enough for my needs now .
 
Sharpie said:
A minor point, all UK networks claim something like 90% + population coverage, but that doesn't mean land area. In remote places where there are very few people, which is quite a lot, there is often no coverage, that just wouldn't make business sense for a tiny amount of use. Mobile data is nowadays by far the best general solution, but when it is just not there, WiFi from a local place is still invaluable. If you really must be connected.
Click to expand...

Sharpie, I have been up the west coast of Scotland in some isolated places.
And there lots of places were my phone on 3 gets no signal, but using the mifi I have yet to fail getting a signal. I am not saying that this won’t happen in future, but to date that is the case. Also in the next year or so all suppliers will be integrating meaning your reception should be the same regardless of company you are with.
 
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