Caution: I am about to ask some very stupid questions. You have been warned.
I've had quite a few issues with Zoom/Teams calls and uploading/downloading files while working from home. As a result, work have pretty much told me I have to get a better internet connection. A speed test confirmed that my current connection is woefully slow.
I can't be bothered with the time/hassle/expense of having anyone round drilling holes etc, I don't want Sky or BT or anything like that, and I don't want a land line. So I've looked at other options, namely what I believe is known as MiFi (WiFi hotspots).
As I'm already with Vodafone for my mobile, I've gone with their R219 model and Unlimited Max plan. It's a 12-month contract, with unlimited 4G data, and the speed should be as fast as is possible in my area.
But there are a few things about it I don't understand (and remember, these are very stupid questions indeed):
1. As it comes with a SIM card, and I've chosen to keep my existing Vodafone number, do I just carry on using my phone as normal? Why does the thing itself need a phone number, and how does this affect my existing phone contract, if at all?
2. If what I'm buying is for WiFi, why do I need 4G data at all? (From what I've read, the WiFi hotspot uses the 4G network, which would explain it - but feel free to correct me.)
3. I've added a £20 limit to how much I can go over the unlimited data - but if the data is unlimited, how can I possibly go over? How is it possible to exceed 'unlimited'? And how likely is this to happen, given that there are two of us living here and during lockdown we've been streaming a lot of movies/programmes?
Off-topic - WiFi/Broadband/4G
posted on 26/6/20
5g causes the rona
posted on 26/6/20
The data allowance and hotspot allowance might be different??????
I’ve always had unlimited data on my phone but for a while only had 12g hotspot, ive since upgraded to unlimited on both
posted on 26/6/20
Having said that I’m about as tech savvy as a pair of slippers
posted on 26/6/20
comment by Geoff Tipps (U1449)
posted 2 minutes ago
Having said that I’m about as tech savvy as a pair of slippers
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They come in pairs now?
What a time to be alive.
posted on 26/6/20
1. Not sure you can have 2 sims with the same number. Worth speaking to them to get this cleared up, I think.
2. The R219 will connect to the internet by 4G and your devices (laptop, phone or whatever) will connect to the R219 by WiFi.
3. Yeah that doesn't sound right. Maybe you didn't get an unlimited plan?
posted on 26/6/20
comment by Clockwork Red (U4892)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Geoff Tipps (U1449)
posted 2 minutes ago
Having said that I’m about as tech savvy as a pair of slippers
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They come in pairs now?
What a time to be alive.
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And they sell them in the shops, every year in December and weirdly, the days leading up to my birthday
posted on 26/6/20
comment by Bales (U22081)
posted 53 minutes ago
1. Not sure you can have 2 sims with the same number. Worth speaking to them to get this cleared up, I think.
2. The R219 will connect to the internet by 4G and your devices (laptop, phone or whatever) will connect to the R219 by WiFi.
3. Yeah that doesn't sound right. Maybe you didn't get an unlimited plan?
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Cheers
I'm pretty sure there was an option to keep the same number but I don't know how to check that now. I was logged in to my Vodafone account when I made the order and I think it called it an extra contract, ie in addition to my existing one.
As for the unlimited bit, you might be right, but the plan I've bought is called 'Unlimited Max' and the details are:
Unlimited Max Dongle or Mobile Wi-Fi Plan - 12 months
Best for super-fast downloads and UHD streaming, plus everything Unlimited can do.
Unlimited Data
3-month free trial of Secure Net
81 roam-free destinations
Speed: Fastest available
Spend Manager
Your spend limit is set at £20
So if anything I'm even more confused now