Using an O2 SIM in mobile broadband router

[Graeme1205]

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.

[MI5]

@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

[Graeme1205]

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.

[Enlli]

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

[MI5]

@Graeme1205 

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

[Oxonian]

@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. 

[CJW24]

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. 

[Enlli]

@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

[Oxonian]

@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.    

[Enlli]

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@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.    

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As it is on Giffgaff