topic Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router in Tech Support

Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

Graeme1205 — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 15:06:28 GMT

I live in a rural area and BT broadband was very poor so I opted for Three mobile broadband and router. The Three coverage seems to have changed and I had to look for an alternative. I opted for an O2 SIM (unlimited data and minutes) as I was told that this would work with mobile broadband. I use the SIM in my Three router (ZTE MF286D) and this can work for hours or days but then freezes (i.e. flashing blue data light goes solid and I lose connection until I switch off and on again). Not sure if this means a faulty router or if it's an incompatibility issue. Do I need to buy an 'unlocked' router and can anyone suggest one that is reasonably priced? I think ideally I need an ethernet port to link an extender to provide coverage throughout my home. Thank you.

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

MI5 — Sat, 21 Oct 2023 15:40:12 GMT

@Graeme1205

O2 don't allow phone sims to be used in a router so you'll need a data only sim instead.

Best SIM Only Deals | Compare Pay Monthly SIM Contracts | O2

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

Graeme1205 — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 09:15:12 GMT

Thanks for your reply. When I took out the contract they told me the SIM would work in a WiFi router so I may have to ask if they would agree to cancel my contract. Thanks again.

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

Enlli — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 10:32:05 GMT

You can use ordinary SIM cards in My Fi portable devices, but not fixed routers

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

MI5 — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 10:44:55 GMT

@Graeme1205

The rule applies to any wifi devices that need to be plugged in to receive power.

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

Oxonian — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 17:10:50 GMT

@Graeme1205

You asked :-

>> "Do I need to buy an 'unlocked' router and can anyone suggest one that is reasonably priced?"

The Zyxel NR5103e works well for me. CEX stock reconditioned units :-

https://uk.webuy.com/

But as @MI5 has said, your O2 'phone SIM won't work in that device.

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

CJW24 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:25:43 GMT

I live in a pretty rural area with rubbish broadband. I’ve been using a Vodafone 5G Gigacube for the last three years but have recently put a Tesco (so O2 network) unlimited data sim in and it works fine. One neighbour has a small portable Vodafone device and runs that with Tesco unlimited data sim. Another neighbour has just bout a TP-Link router with sim slot from Argos and is also using a Tesco unlimited data sim. None of us have had any problems.

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

Enlli — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 10:41:37 GMT

@CJW24 Although Tesco run on O2 their terms and conditions may be different

Experience on here with standard SIM in routers is that they may work for a while but once the system detects a usage pattern that suggests a router they are shut down and the customer will have to ring O2

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

Oxonian — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:07:35 GMT

@Enlli

The T&Cs on Tesco Mobile are certainly very different to those of O2.

For example, 5G is available on PAYG SIMs on Tesco.

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

Enlli — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:16:52 GMT

@Oxonian wrote:
@Enlli
The T&Cs on Tesco Mobile are certainly very different to those of O2.
For example, 5G is available on PAYG SIMs on Tesco.

As it is on Giffgaff

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

fowlerluke2023 — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 20:12:29 GMT

if o2 are not allowing sims to be used in certain devices this needs to be reported to ofcom because it is a breach of net neutrality rules. net neutrality rules require that mobile networks do not restrict choice of device

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

Enlli — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 20:54:27 GMT

Well off you pop and report it then.

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

madasaf1sh — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 20:59:20 GMT

@fowlerluke2023

VMo2 are allowed to traffic manage any user they deem to be abusing the network, and using excessive amounts of data, and this is set out in S9 of the regulations...

And when people mention OFCOM (Office of Comedy) I laugh as they are more toothless than OFWAT... and they are in the pockets of industry... so no point complaining to them, they will tell you to sod off anyway...

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

jonsie — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 21:13:22 GMT

@madasaf1sh wrote:
@fowlerluke2023

VMo2 are allowed to traffic manage any user they deem to be abusing the network, and using excessive amounts of data, and this is set out in S9 of the regulations...

And when people mention OFCOM (Office of Comedy) I laugh as they are more toothless than OFWAT... and they are in the pockets of industry... so no point complaining to them, they will tell you to sod off anyway...

Quite!

Not sure of the source of the info (or the validity) of the insight offered by @fowlerluke2023

Perhaps back up or stop being silly

Re: Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

Mikekwill — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 10:54:13 GMT

I live in a rural area too. I use a 4G O2 data only Sim in a TP Link TL MR6400 router as my home wifi setup. The 4G setup a replacement to Sky's 30Mbs which in reality hovered around 10 - 15 Mbs download. Generally the 4G setup is much faster and less frustrating than the old Sky setup. The problem with the 4G setup is is does not appear to support multiple devices. For example if I am streaming music via the Sonos and power up my PC the music playback stops for about 2 minutes every time. This never happened on the Sky setup. I've tried "My O2" online to see if there is a setting I can make to enable internet sharing but no luck. Any ideas gratefully received.