Looking at getting online with a mobile Wi-Fi dongle?
In this guide, we’ve reviewed the 5 best dongle deals in the UK in 2023.
We’ve also explained how these types of mobile broadband devices and their plans work, helping you find the right dongle or mobile Wi-Fi deal for your specific needs.
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Best dongle deals
Let’s begin our reviews.
Below, we’ve looked at 5 of the best dongle plans in the UK right now, including deals with unlimited data, and pay as you go contracts.
1. Three TCL Linkzone MW63 4G Mobile Wi-Fi
Three’s dongle is actually a mobile Wi-Fi device.
Rather than plugging into a USB port like most internet dongles, it’s wireless, and creates a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot that multiple devices can access. Meaning, you’re not limited to just getting online on a computer – you can connect up to 10 different devices to the hotspot at once.
This dongle has about a 6-hour battery life when in use, and you can keep it plugged in to have the wireless network available at all times. Three’s 4G network offers excellent coverage in most of the UK, so you’ll generally get good speeds and great connection consistency with their mobile Wi-Fi device.
Another good thing about this TCL MiFi device is the number of different data deals you can bundle it with. If you plan on getting online all the time, you can get unlimited data, or you can just get 10GB or 40GB of data if you want to reduce your monthly cost.
Three’s prices on their dongle plans are quite good, as long as you choose a 12 month or 24 month pay monthly contract. They do offer the flexibility to pay as you go on a month-to-month basis, which is great, but these short-term deals have a higher upfront cost.
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2. Vodafone K5161z Dongle
Vodafone is one of the few British mobile networks to offer a traditional USB dongle device. But are their deals any good?
One of the best things about Vodafone’s dongle plans is the amount of choice you get. You can have anything from 4GB up to unlimited data each month, on a 12 month or 24 month contract, or a short-term 30-day pay as you go plan.
This means that if you use very little data, you can choose a plan with a very low monthly cost. But unlimited usage deals are also available if you plan to use a lot of data each month. Just remember, your upfront and monthly cost will increase considerably if you choose a pay as you go dongle plan with Vodafone.
Vodafone’s 4G dongle is very easy to set up. All you do is plug it in, and follow some prompts on your computer. The dongle will set itself up and connect to 4G mobile broadband, and then you’ll be ready to get online.
However, the Vodafone K5161z is limited in that it can’t create a Wi-Fi hotspot. Unlike Three’s mobile Wi-Fi device, you can’t get online with more than one device at once. There is a MiFi device you can buy from Vodafone instead, if you’d prefer to have a wireless hotspot you can use with more than one device at a time.
Also, we found that in testing, this dongle doesn’t have as fast download speeds as Three’s MiFi device.
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3. EE 4GEE WiFi Mini
EE has the best 4G coverage of any of the four major UK mobile networks. Therefore, their dongle device is particularly worth looking at if you plan on using it to get online when travelling.
The 4GEE WiFi Mini is quite a powerful bit of kit. It creates a very strong Wi-Fi network, easily capable of supporting multiple devices, provided you have enough bandwidth. And its battery capacity is also very good for such a small device.
You get a good choice of data plans, including pay as you go and pay monthly options. However, you only have the choice of 1 month or 24 month contracts – there aren’t any 12 month plans available.
EE also offers a 5G mobile broadband device, but it comes with a very high upfront cost at the moment. In most cases, since EE’s 4G coverage is quite good, the 4GEE WiFi Mini is the better choice.
The main downside to EE is their deals are expensive, especially if you choose unlimited data. And although they say that each plan is 5G-compatible on the website, the dongle itself isn’t (assuming you buy the 4G one), meaning you’ll only get 4G download and upload speeds.
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4. O2 Alcatel 4G Dongle
Other than Vodafone, O2 is another choice if you’re looking for a simple dongle that works with a USB port.
With O2, rather than choosing a data plan, you can build your own bundle, choosing a contract length and data limit that works for you. For example, you could choose a 7 month contract, if you know that you’ll be using the device for exactly 7 months. You don’t have to pick between either 12 or 24 months, like with most other providers.
This flexibility is really great to have, especially if you know you won’t be using your dongle indefinitely. However, you can’t build a pay as you go plan – the minimum contract length is 3 months.
The Alcatel dongle itself is very easy to set up and use, and works well. The downside of course is it can’t create a Wi-Fi hotspot, like a MiFi device can.
However, you do get other benefits with O2. They will double your data if you’re a Virgin Media Broadband customer, and also include free Apple Music with some of their dongle deals.
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5. Vodafone 5G Mobile Hotspot
If you live somewhere with 5G coverage, you might consider paying more for a 5G mobile broadband device, like this one from Vodafone.
It’s important to note, 5G dongles are very expensive, and this device is no exception. The upfront cost from Vodafone is extremely high, although it is a bit more reasonable on their 24 month pay monthly contracts.
In return for the higher price though, you get download speeds of around 300 Mbps and even up to 1 Gbps with this device. And you can share this bandwidth with up to 32 connected devices at once, using the dongle’s Wi-Fi network.
You also get an 8-hour battery life, which is more than most 4G dongles give you. The device will also automatically switch to 4G when you move into an area with no 5G signal.
Overall, this device is a great bit of kit. It’s just extremely expensive, especially on a short-term contract.
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What you need to know
In this section, we’ll explain what you need to know when buying a dongle with a data plan.
How do internet dongles work?
Dongles are small devices that plug into your computer’s USB port, and provide you with an internet connection.
A dongle has a SIM card, which it uses to connect to the 4G or 5G mobile broadband network, just like your phone. It then passes this connection along to your computer, allowing you to get online.
Similar to with your phone, you need good mobile network signal to get a fast, consistent internet connection with a dongle. If your 4G signal is poor, you will experience slow download speeds, and your internet may drop out.
How do dongle deals work?
When you buy a wireless dongle from a mobile network like Three or Vodafone, they will typically bundle it with a data plan, including a SIM card, and everything else you need to get online.
For example, with their TCL 4G mobile broadband device, Three includes a SIM card, the battery for the device, a charging cable, and a quick start guide.
When choosing a dongle deal, you’ll need to consider:
- Which mobile network you’d prefer to use. We’ve explained how to choose the right network a bit later in this article.
- How much data you’ll need each month. This will depend on how you plan to use the dongle. If you’re only using it occasionally, and only for web browsing, emails, and some social media, you might not need much data. However, for more data-intensive uses, such as watching videos and downloading large files, you will want a higher data allowance.
- How long you want the contract to be. Do you plan on keeping the Wi-Fi dongle for a long time, or will you only be using it to get online for a few months?
Once you buy a dongle package, you’ll receive the device in the mail within 1-2 business days in most cases.
To get started, you’ll typically need to insert the SIM card into the device. Then, once you plug it into your computer, a prompt will appear, helping you to set up your Wi-Fi dongle and access the internet. From this point, you can get online by simply plugging the dongle into your laptop.
Can you pay as you go with a dongle?
With most mobile networks, you do not have to enter into a long-term contract to buy a dongle from them. Instead, you can pay as you go on a short-term month-to-month contract.
If you want to cancel your pay as you go internet dongle plan, you only need to give a month’s notice, in most cases. You won’t need to pay any cancellation fees, like you would on a pay monthly dongle deal.
However, pay as you go dongle deals often come with a higher upfront cost, and they sometimes have a higher monthly cost as well.
If you think you’ll be using your dongle for a long time, you’ll often save quite a bit of money by entering into a 12 month, 18 month, or 24 month contract.
Can you get unlimited data with a dongle?
It is possible to get an unlimited Wi-Fi dongle in the UK – Three, O2, Vodafone, and EE all offer dongle deals with unlimited data.
Although unlimited data packages can be quite expensive, especially on a short-term contract, unlimited data is quite important if you’ll be using your dongle as your main way of getting online. This is especially true if you’ll be streaming video on apps like YouTube and Netflix on a regular basis. High-definition video uses lots of data, so having unlimited downloads will be quite helpful in preventing you from hitting a data usage limit.
On the other hand, if you’ll only be using your dongle occassionally, having a 40-100GB monthly limit should offer plenty of data. Just ensure to keep a close eye on your usage, which you can do by logging into your customer account with your mobile network.
Which is the best mobile network to use with a dongle?
Before buying a mobile broadband dongle, it’s important to check and ensure that the 4G network you’re considering using offers good coverage at your address. Otherwise, you might face slow downloads and uploads, and your dongle internet connection might drop out on a regular basis.
Although EE has the best mobile coverage in the UK at the moment, there isn’t a single best network to use with a dongle. What matters most is a given network’s coverage at your location, and anywhere else you plan to use the dongle.
To check a given network’s mobile broadband signal where you live, you can use their coverage map. Here’s Three’s network coverage map, as an example.
Once you have the map loaded, simply type in your postcode and select your address. You want the web page to say “Good indoor and outdoor 4G coverage” or similar. You can also check other locations that you plan on travelling to with your dongle, to see if they have good 4G signal.
What download and upload speeds can you get with a dongle?
The download and upload speeds you’ll get with an internet dongle can vary greatly depending on the 4G or 5G signal available at your address.
Typically, you get expect download speeds of 15-50 megabits per second (Mbps) with most 4G dongles, and upload speeds of 3-6 Mbps. This is plenty for most internet activities, including social media and watching videos, but large downloads will feel quite slow unless you achieve 40+ Mbps on a consistent basis.
The best way to tell what speeds you’ll get with a dongle is to do a speedtest on your phone, using the same mobile network you plan to buy a dongle deal from. If you use a different mobile carrier to the company you’re considering, it might be worth borrowing a friend’s phone on the same network to get a more accurate result.
At the moment, 5G dongles are quite hard to come by, and they are often very expensive. If you live somewhere with 5G coverage, and don’t mind paying more for faster speeds, Vodafone’s 5G MiFi device is probably your best choice. With 5G dongles, you’ll typically get download speeds of 200-300 Mbps and possibly higher, with upload speeds of around 15-30 Mbps.
Can you use a dongle to get online overseas?
Dongles are a great way to get online using 4G data when travelling around the UK. Just like your phone, they will tap into the local 4G network, getting you online almost anywhere in the country.
However, when you go overseas, things get a bit tricky, especially with the post-Brexit EU roaming restrictions that most mobile networks have introduced.
In most cases, you can get online overseas with a dongle, but you might have to pay more to roam, and you might not be able to access your full data allowance.
For example, with EE, if you get online overseas you’ll be prompted to buy a roaming add-on. The cost will depend on the country you’re visiting.
Also, your dongle might not work in some locations, such as the USA and South America, because they use a different 4G data frequency to what we use in the UK. This means that you’ll need to get online using public Wi-Fi, or by buying a local SIM card to use in your mobile phone.
Advantages of dongles
There are a number of advantages to using a Wi-Fi dongle when compared to other ways of getting online:
- Dongle deals are typically very flexible. You can decide exactly how much monthly data you need, and you don’t have to lock into a long-term contract – month-to-month plans are available.
- Dongles are very easy to set up and use. You can get online in just a few minutes once the device arrives in the mail.
- You can get online almost anywhere with an internet dongle. Meaning, you can use them when travelling.
- You might be able to get faster download speeds with a dongle, compared to a traditional home broadband connection, especially if you live somewhere with poor broadband infrastructure.
- Dongles don’t require an external power source, nor do they need charging. All you need to do is plug the dongle into your computer to get online.
Disadvantages of dongles
However, there are also some downsides to using a dongle to access the internet:
- With a Wi-Fi dongle, you will typically have a data usage cap, unlike with a fixed-line broadband connection. You can pay more for unlimited data, but this might be quite expensive.
- Dongles generally offer less consistent download speeds than traditional broadband, especially if there are any issues at all with your 4G signal.
- Using an internet dongle, you can only get online with one device at once. You will need to use a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, like the TCL Linkzone MW63 from Three, if you want to create a Wi-Fi network that multiple people can connect to at once.
Alternatives to dongles
If some of the downsides to dongles are an issue for you, there are a few other alternative ways to access the internet, other than using a traditional broadband connection.
Mobile Wi-Fi (MiFi) devices: these bits of kit are very similar to dongles, but they create a Wi-Fi hotspot you can use to get online with multiple devices at once. As long as you don’t mind charging up the battery every so often, MiFi devices are a great way to get online on the go.
4G routers: if you want a more permanent solution to get online using mobile broadband, 4G routers are a good choice. They work just like any other Wi-Fi router, in that they create a Wi-Fi network that multiple devices can connect to, and plug into a wall socket. The difference is, 4G routers have a SIM card, and use mobile broadband, rather than connecting to your phone line. Compared to dongles, these types of routers aren’t as portable, but they are a better choice if you’re looking for a more permanent solution to get online at home. When we tested the Three 4G Hub, pictured above, we achieved very good speeds with the device.
Your phone hotspot: if you have an old handset that you don’t use much, you might like to use it as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. To do this, you might like to buy a data SIM card to use with it. Then, when you want to get online, turn on the phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot, and connect to the internet.
Satellite broadband: for those in very rural areas, you can also get online by installing a satellite dish on your property. This is another permanent solution that can get you faster speeds than traditional broadband. However, satellite broadband is very expensive, and your latency will be quite high.
Conclusion
This is the end of our Wi-Fi dongle buyer’s guide.
Remember, in some cases, it’s better to use a mobile Wi-Fi device to get online, rather than a dongle. MiFi allows you to create a wireless hotspot, which can be accessed from multiple devices, instead of just a single computer.
If you’re still not sure which Wi-Fi dongle to choose, or what data plan to buy, feel free to leave a comment below and we’ll respond as soon as possible.
About the author
Tyler is the co-founder of Broadband Savvy. He has been helping people improve their broadband connectivity since 2018 by writing about fibre broadband and mobile broadband providers, as well as creating tutorials to help people improve their broadband speeds and Wi-Fi signal.
Tyler is responsible for the majority of buyer’s guides and broadband reviews published on Broadband Savvy. He has a wealth of experience testing and reviewing different broadband tariffs, including fibre internet plans, as well as 4G and 5G broadband deals. He is responsible for testing and evaluating Wi-Fi routers, performing speed and latency tests, and comparing the value for money of different broadband providers on the market in the UK.
Before co-founding Broadband Savvy, Tyler had a long history of tinkering with computers. He built his first PC at the age of 12, and since then, he’s become obsessed with all things networking and internet-related. He’s a massive gamer, loves Rocket League, and also plays Sunday League football.
Good and helpful information. I am at the end of a copper line and my speeds are 0.29 to 3.00 mbps. I am also at the end of my tether as no fibre yet. If I get a dongle or similar will my SKY Q run off it or do I still need the line?!
Hi Phillip,
We don’t believe so – Sky Q should run off a dish. So you should be good to go dongle-only.
Tyler
Hello! I am (like most of the nation working from home again !!) I work on platforms like MS Teams a lot and deliver training through them. My internet provision at home is great but there are occasions when something happens and the internet goes down (eg when someone is working in the cable room in our flats). I’d like to get a dongle and plan as a contingency so that I can pay a data package quickly and get going quickly if there is an issue.
Any suggestions ?
Hi Shamela,
Sorry for the late response! That’s quite a pickle – applications such as MS Teams can use quite a lot of data. However, unlimited dongle plans are expensive, especially if you’re paying for regular broadband too. On the other hand, you might be able to get away with a plan that has limited data, if the dropouts don’t happen often.
Do you know if your home broadband is likely to become more stable in the future, or is it a temporary issue? If it’s likely to be long-term, you could look at something like a Vodafone unlimited or 24GB plan, depending on how often your broadband drops out. Otherwise they have similar deals available on 30-day contracts.
I have a house in Northern Ireland which (COVID not permitting) I go to 5 or 6 times a year, typically spending a week each time. So I don’t want to pay for broadband every month. I am looking for real pay as you go broadband – which used to exist many years ago. But this does not seem to exist. Do you have any solutions? I believe it exists in other countries.
The dongles and MIFI are also on a monthly basis so they don’t work for me.
Currently I access WIFI when I visit my parents, or in public areas or cafes. When I go to my house I use my phone and create a hotspot but as my phone is a French one I hit my limit very quickly.
Hi Sharon,
You might be able to find a PAYG data SIM. EE currently has one. They have data addons you can buy whenever you like. The smallest is 200MB for £2.
Tyler
Hi, I live in the middle of nowhere and there is no WiFi here, could I use a dongle to put in my TV to then be able to use a now TV stick? Looking for pay as you go
Hi Lena,
It will depend on the 4G signal you can get at your address. With a good network like EE or Three, you might be able to get a MiFi device or 4G router that will have fast enough speeds to stream videos on your TV. A dongle likely won’t work as you’ll only be able to plug it into your computer – it can’t plug into a TV.
We’d recommend looking at the EE 4G router if you can get good EE 4G coverage at your address. However, it has an 18 month contract. Pay as you go deals with speeds good enough for TV streaming can be quite expensive, unfortunately.
My grandson has an Apple iPhone SE 2020 but his contract provides only a small amount of data. I am trying to find a way to link him to the internet as cheaply as possible. He does not work from home and is not into gaming but does use Netflix. Both he and I have limited
knowledge. What would you suggest ?
Hi Dorothy,
If you don’t have fixed-line broadband that he can use at home, it’s probably a good idea to upgrade his contract, if possible. Since Netflix is very data-hungry, getting a SIM-only plan with unlimited data is probably a good choice.
If he is still under contract and you can’t change plan, you could get a Mi-Fi device (such as the one Three sells) with an unlimited data plan. However this will be more expensive than plugging a SIM into the phone directly, because you’re paying for the Mi-Fi device as well.
Hi Tyler. Hope you’re having a good Easter weekend.
I’m working in a Covid testing station,
in a nuclear base! until the end of September so don’t need a long term contract. However we have 3 x weekly team meetings with others around the country for 30 minutes a time.
I need Internet to cover that much time and a little bit extra for emails, rota planning but know nothing about dongles other than wgat I’ve read on your page. I’m in Plymouth Devon, so good coverage, can you advise this non techy older person on the best way forward please?
Hi Annette,
Thanks for getting in touch.
Since no providers currently offer 6 month contracts, you’ll need to find a month to month plan which you can cancel instantly once you escape the nuclear bunker.
With Three there’s a decent upfront cost on their monthly plans, but their monthly costs are much lower than with Vodafone or O2, making them cheaper overall. So we would recommend looking at the Three Huawei Mi-Fi device first and foremost (click/tap here to jump to it).
You definitely don’t need unlimited downloads, however you will need a decent data allowance if meeting participants have their webcams on – the video streams on Zoom or Microsoft Teams can use up a fair bit of data.
We would recommend the 40GB plan from Three. You might be able to get away with 20GB of data per month, but for only £3 per month more (£19 vs £16) it’s worth doubling the data in our opinion so you don’t hit any usage caps.
Hope that was helpful, please let me know if you have any further questions
Thanks
Tyler
Hi Tyler,
I am buying a mobile home that I will be visiting only once or twice a year, each time for 3 – 6 months. I have been told that to access wifi that I need to use a dongle and that a 4G dongle works very well in the mobil home park.
Can you advise where I should start in looking for a dongle?
Hi Linda,
Unfortunately the way dongle deals are structured, there aren’t 3 or 6 month contracts you can buy – you can either go month to month or sign a 12 month commitment. You could consider going for a 30 day plan and then cancelling it when you leave the mobile home. However, if you spend more than 6 months a year there, it may be cheaper to buy a dongle on a 12 or 24 month contract because month to month can be quite expensive. You could consider getting an unlimited data plan on a long term contract and using the dongle everywhere, so you don’t have to pay for fixed line broadband at your regular address.
Hope that helps.
Tyler
Hi I work in a preschool where we have many devices, 4 tablets,2 laptops and a mobile phone (although not all being used simultaneously) Our landline is poor and internet speeds are up to 13mbps which means some days we are unable to upload photos/videos to the children’s learning journeys as it’s too slow. Providers are unwilling to improve our phone line due to where we are situated. I am considering a Mi-fi device but unsure if this will even be any better than what we have already, our mobile service isn’t amazing some days. Would a usb dongle be better with use of a wireless router? Any advice would be much appreciated, I have no idea where to go with this! Thanks Nicola
Hi Nicola,
Sorry for the late reply. The first thing I would do is test the mobile service a bit more. You said that the service isn’t great some days – if 4G coverage is poor then a 4G device (whether a dongle, Mi-Fi or a router) won’t be of much help.
I would use a speed testing app on a few different mobile devices, ideally on different networks (EE, Three, Vodafone etc) and ideally with people who don’t have a speed-capped data plan. If you see decent speeds on a certain network quite consistently throughout the day, then a 4G device is worth looking at. For your purposes, the EE wireless router is probably the best because EE has the best network coverage in most areas, and the router will allow you to connect your different devices quite easily. However, it is quite an expensive device to buy. We would avoid a dongle because you’ll have to keep plugging it into different devices as you change between them – Mi-FI is worth looking at though if Three has good coverage at the pre-school.
Thanks
Hi Tyler
I am looking for the best way to watch TV in my new campervan. I will be travelling to places that will be rural and would like to access on demand TV like Netflix through a smart TV, what would be the best option in your opinion?
Hi WIll,
For watching TV, you will probably want a plan with unlimited data, unless you’re only watching about a few hours or so every week and not using the dongle for anything else. For context, streaming Netflix in HD uses about 3 GB of data per hour. You could also look at 40 GB data plans but this is probably cutting it a bit close.
Remember, dongles can typically only plug into computers. Therefore, unless you’re casting from a laptop to your TV (which it sounds like you’re not, since it’s a smart TV), you won’t be able to use a dongle.
Since you need unlimited data, we’d probably recommend the Three MiFi device. It will create a hotspot that your smart TV can connect to, and Three’s unlimited data plans are quite reasonably priced.
Before buying, be sure to check out Three’s network coverage map in some of the areas you’ll likely be travelling to, just to ensure you’ll get a good signal.
Thanks
Hi Tyler,
I am a stall holder at craft and gift fairs in the Cotswolds, and we are about to start the fairs again after the Covid restrictions.
The hall we use most for these fairs has no Wifi, so when customers want to make a card payment we have to use the mobile data on our phones. Would we be better off to have a mobile dongle for these instances? and what can you advise? as the public may be happier to use cards rather than cash. Would a pay as you go dongle be suitable? My mobile and home broadband is with SKY. Many thanks
Hi Lynn,
I think you should be fine to use your phone’s data in that instance. Since Sky use O2, using your phone should be identical to using O2’s dongle from a signal point of view. The transactions shouldn’t use up much of your mobile data. Are you having any troubles with slow or failed transactions when using your phone?
If the problem is it’s a bit of a hassle to set up with your phone, you could consider Three’s Mi-Fi device, to create a mini Wi-Fi network to use. Not sure if a dongle would work, unless the card reader connects to a computer you can plug a dongle into.
Thanks
Hi Tyler, I was thinking of purchasing an iPad for my mum but she doesn’t have or know anything about wi-fi and the internet. I don’t want it to be complicated for her. What what would you suggest is the best to get as in Dongle or sim? Many thanks, Donna
Hi Donna,
We think a SIM card would probably be best in this case. With a SIM, you can simply insert it into the iPad, activate the SIM, and your mum can get online easily. On the other hand, dongles are really designed for computers – you need to plug them into a device with a USB port, and they require a bit of setting up in order to use.
Thanks
Hi Tyler, we are semi rural location and usually get around 3mbps with our sky internet. We can’t get fibre at all yet. We bought our 16year old a PS5 and he can’t use it as as soon as it needs an update it will update to about 10-20% then just stop due to internet. What if anything could we buy to give him the connectivity he needs?
Hi Tyler,
I am about to run a weekly meeting every Tuesday evening for 2 hours. My home broadband is not strong enough where the meeting room upstairs will be held and its keep dropping now and then. I cannot afford to have internet dropping in these meetings. Please the dongle and the mobile wifi which one would serve me better if I don’t want any drops during the 2 hour presentation. Any specific recommendation will be appreciated.
Hi Giddy,
The most important thing is the level of 4G coverage you receive in that specific room. To start with, it’s a good idea to check your coverage on Three, O2, Vodafone, and EE’s websites. Look for good indoor and outdoor 4G coverage at your address. You can also test your signal in that room using your mobile phone – do a few speed tests, to see what sort of signal you receive.
If you get coverage with all four networks, your best choice is probably either the Three MiFi device, or Vodafone’s dongle, depending on which type of device you would prefer to use. Neither will drop out during your meetings, provided you have good 4G signal.
Thanks
Hi Tyler
I need to buy a new laptop and was thinking about getting one with a SIM card slot, to get internet away from home, but reading here it looks like I don’t need that; a dongle or mifi would do just as well.
Problem is, I’ll be using it in Norway (EEA). I won’t need a whole lot of data but I’m not able to find anything out about roaming charges in any of the deals and devices I’ve looked at. Can you advise?
Hi Mairianna,
Unfortunately most providers have become very restrictive with their roaming policies recently, as a result of Brexit. Most now have a daily charge for EU roaming, as we’ve discussed here: https://broadbandsavvy.com/best-roaming-sim-cards/
As far as we understand it, this means that you can use your allowance in Norway with most of these MiFi devices, but you’ll have to pay about £2 per day, and there will be a “fair usage” limit on how much of your allowance you can use overseas. This also depends on whether you buy a pay monthly or pay as you go contract.
If you spend a lot of time in Norway, you might consider buying a separate Norwegian SIM card and putting it into the MiFi device. As far as we’re aware, Three’s MiFi device is unlocked, so you can use other SIM cards in it.
Thanks
Hi Tyler,
I have a Vigor 2862Vac Router that will allow me to use a USB 3G/4G internet and distribute the internet signal to my devices. I am going to use the wired connection of the router. I don’t want to use the wifi. I am moving onto a boat, so landline connection will not be possible on the move.
I am not sure which of this options is best for me.
Hi there,
Does the router accept a SIM card or just a USB? This is a bit of an odd one, since most of these dongles will require you plug them into a computer and follow some prompts to get online. We’re not sure exactly how the router would set up with the device. It might be best to contact Vigor and ask what sort of device is compatible.
Thanks
Hi I have a static caravan and only use more data when I am there which is every other weekend I only have 1g of data on my phone which Is enough when I am at home. how much would it be for a pay as you go dongle please.
We would recommend looking at Three’s pay as you go plans, this should end up at about £15-£20 per month for a small amount of data, although there will be an upfront cost.
Thanks
Hi there,
I’m out of contract with Shell Energy broadband.
I only require wifi at my house when my Daughter and family visit which is only about two or three times a year for 2 or 3 days each time.
What would be the best solution for me……….4 or 5 devices, keep allowance for a long period, payg (no contract)
ps. most of the time i’m at my partners house
Hi, we would recommend Three’s MiFi device on a pay as you go contract. When you need internet, we would recommend using their 40GB plan, this should be enough for 2-3 days. Thanks
When I moved to Cornwall from London, Vodaphone were unable to supply broadband at my new address. I’ve been unable to find another provider that covers my area. I have 40 GB on my mobile phone but I would like unlimited data. My contract ends on 25 October. I use WiFi for Banking, Email, WhatsApp, Facebook, browsing and YouTube. I would appreciate your advice on whether I should have a SIM or a dongle and explain the difference.
A solution like the Three 4G Hub would probably be your best choice, you can read our review here: https://broadbandsavvy.com/three-4g-hub-review/
You could also use the Three MiFi device mentioned on this page. Generally, having a MiFi device or router (such as the 4G Hub) is better than just using a SIM because it can create a permanent Wi-Fi hotspot you can connect to without draining your phone’s battery.