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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Varche on 27 December 2018, 16:53:17

Title: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: Varche on 27 December 2018, 16:53:17
We shall be coming to the UK in January. I am looking for a good data SIM for my Smart phone not on contract for a month, maybe two months or longer if can data roam in Europe

Two things . Tethering ( my term for being able to surf the net via a laptop and ipad) would be essential. Second that might be desirable would be data roaming ( with fair usage policy say up to 75% in Europe) would be a plus. We could continue using it back home or on our 2019 tours.
Cost of calls and texts not important.

I think I saw a tv ad for 30 gb for  £16 a month I think with 200 or more free texts. Didnt get the company name.

Any people out there up on what is available please?

Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: STEMO on 27 December 2018, 16:57:56
We shall be coming to the UK in January. I am looking for a good data SIM for my Smart phone not on contract for a month, maybe two months or longer if can data roam in Europe

Two things . Tethering ( my term for being able to surf the net via a laptop and ipad) would be essential. Second that might be desirable would be data roaming ( with fair usage policy say up to 75% in Europe) would be a plus. We could continue using it back home or on our 2019 tours.
Cost of calls and texts not important.

I think I saw a tv ad for 30 gb for  £16 a month I think with 200 or more free texts. Didnt get the company name.

Any people out there up on what is available please?
Virgin
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: Varche on 27 December 2018, 18:15:59
Mm 12 month contract!  Makes 20 gb satellite for £40 look expensive. Just need to see if a large % can roam ( permanently!) and if you can tether.
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: TheBoy on 27 December 2018, 18:29:26
Look at any of the SIM only deals on a rolling 1 month contract.  Or 3 do a 30Gb (No time limit) for something like £15 data only sim (but not sure if that includes their roam like home).

I personally use EE, and do tether when abroad. But I don't use it for streaming when tethered, so only have 4 or 5Gb data every 30days.  But then it only costs me £7.50 ;).

Obviously, this side of March, any euro SIM allows full roaming, so might be better offers in different countries.
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: TheBoy on 27 December 2018, 18:31:35
Downside of 3 is a shockingly useless coverage in the UK.  My only experience of 3 abroad is in the USA, and coverage seemed poor there, but I think that's just America, as their roaming partners were AT&T and Verizon.
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 27 December 2018, 18:37:36
Nonsense.  ::)

I can get a signal anywhere in Brackers except the Tiffins... Which was exactly the same with Eeek
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: TheBoy on 27 December 2018, 19:32:11
Nonsense.  ::)

I can get a signal anywhere in Brackers except the Tiffins... Which was exactly the same with Eeek
Difference being, I can get a usable signal just about anywhere outside in the UK.  Which I know for a fact I can't with my PAYG 3 SIM (in the same phone). 3 is truly awful for coverage (but its cheap, and does have uses, particularly for its roaming).  Given the frequencies used for voice, neither provide great coverage in large buildings.

And OFCOM clearly agree in their latest results back to the industry.  Evil Everywhere have best overall coverage on 3G/4G (and have to, due to licencing commitments around ESN), Voda come 2nd.  I'd need to log back in to see who got 3rd place overall.

Speed is probably unimportant, as long as its fast enough, but I've yet to see better than 30Mbps on 3, whereas on Evil Everywhere, I rarely see below 30Mbps, and often get 70Mbps in Brakkers, and have seen as high as over 140Mbps...
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: zirk on 27 December 2018, 22:19:41
Ive got an EE Double Speed Data Sim, 32GB which I get 50% Discount on, works out about £15 a month, your welcome to use that if you want to foot the Bill on a month to month basis Varche, or if you wanted to take it on I could probably Transfer it over to you as a Family and Friends Transfer, just need to check that the Discount will go over with it.

Its a Data Sim, so no Mins induced, does have 100 Texts per month included though, and it has an Roaming Allowance included, cant remember exactly what now, Tethering not a Problem, so can be used in a Phone (Hot Spot), Tablet, MiFi Device or Mobile Broadband Device (which is what it was designed for, hence why its one of those Double Speed jobbies)

Its out of Contract now, so its effectively a 30 Day Contract Sim, so as per norm, 30 days notice to Terminate, one of my Sons is currently using it at the moment until His Broadband gets connected which I think is in the first Week into January. 
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: Lazydocker on 27 December 2018, 23:21:46
Nonsense.  ::)

I can get a signal anywhere in Brackers except the Tiffins... Which was exactly the same with Eeek

The only real person who has issues with 3 is TuBy ;)

It’s generally more reliable than my work phone on O2
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: TheBoy on 28 December 2018, 08:57:59
The only real person who has issues with 3 is TuBy ;)

It’s generally more reliable than my work phone on O2
Me and the rest of the country, hence OFCOM put it 3rd or last (cant remember the order of 3 and O2).  Remember, that's over the country, locally each may vary. For example, Voda doesn't work up my end of town, or rurally around here, but OFCOM mark it 2nd.
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: TheBoy on 28 December 2018, 09:01:54
Although this is part of the reason I also have O2 and 3 SIMs on top of my normal EE one (and my old work SIM was Voda, but recently got moved to an EE MVNO), so I stand a chance of a signal when I go away.

Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: aaronjb on 28 December 2018, 09:04:19
Nonsense.  ::)

I can get a signal anywhere in Brackers except the Tiffins... Which was exactly the same with Eeek

The only real person who has issues with 3 is TuBy ;)

It’s generally more reliable than my work phone on O2

He should just be grateful CenturyLink don't service the UK, or he'd no doubt have service from them (he does know how to pick suppliers) ;) https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2018/12/nationwide-internet-outage-affects-centurylink.html
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: Varche on 28 December 2018, 17:12:41
Ive got an EE Double Speed Data Sim, 32GB which I get 50% Discount on, works out about £15 a month, your welcome to use that if you want to foot the Bill on a month to month basis Varche, or if you wanted to take it on I could probably Transfer it over to you as a Family and Friends Transfer, just need to check that the Discount will go over with it.

Its a Data Sim, so no Mins induced, does have 100 Texts per month included though, and it has an Roaming Allowance included, cant remember exactly what now, Tethering not a Problem, so can be used in a Phone (Hot Spot), Tablet, MiFi Device or Mobile Broadband Device (which is what it was designed for, hence why its one of those Double Speed jobbies)

Its out of Contract now, so its effectively a 30 Day Contract Sim, so as per norm, 30 days notice to Terminate, one of my Sons is currently using it at the moment until His Broadband gets connected which I think is in the first Week into January.


That is a great offer, thanks.  Could you check the roaming part please?. If a good percentage is available to roam I would have it for six months . 
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: Omegatoy on 28 December 2018, 17:55:05
Downside of 3 is a shockingly useless coverage in the UK.  My only experience of 3 abroad is in the USA, and coverage seemed poor there, but I think that's just America, as their roaming partners were AT&T and Verizon.

we could not get 3 to work in either france or spain, on the trip over there this year,went to the shop today to find out why, fec king useless,got to ring customer service oh joy
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: Doctor Gollum on 28 December 2018, 19:16:43
No problems with 3 in GC last three years  :-\
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: Viral_Jim on 28 December 2018, 22:02:10
I've use 3 in every European country (EDIT: actually, not Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City...) west of, and including, Poland. And not had an issue in any of them. I would recommend them without hesitation.

But TB and I have clearly had very different 3 experiences. I run a dual SIM Vodafone and 3 now, the two networks have different dead spots but overall they're pretty similar IME. Not used voda outside the UK though as it's blocked by work (tight bar stewards)  ;D

They are also doing a lot to improve signal in rural England.  Example: my parents live in a village near Ludlow and their network has gone from basically nothing to a consistent 10mb 4g connection, with better speed outside.
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 December 2018, 12:28:21
Downside of 3 is a shockingly useless coverage in the UK.  My only experience of 3 abroad is in the USA, and coverage seemed poor there, but I think that's just America, as their roaming partners were AT&T and Verizon.

we could not get 3 to work in either france or spain, on the trip over there this year,went to the shop today to find out why, fec king useless,got to ring customer service oh joy
I had similar with 3 customer service a few years back, when I'd ordered a SIM online, but apparently they'd sent the wrong one, so it couldn't be used for a MiFi unit, and they'd need to send me another. But as I was away from home, that was no good to me, so they suggested going into a 3 shop.  The 3 shop were unwilling to swap the SIM over, telling me I'd have to ring customer service, but I couldn't ring them from their shop.  When I walked back in with customer service on the other end of my mobile, they refused to even speak to them, and I was manhandled from the shop, as other customers in there were starting to realise what a shower of shits they were.


Not that I think any other mobile company's customer service is much better.


My only concern with 3 in Great Briton is poor coverage, as the data (when you have coverage) is "fast enough" for my simple browsing/email/remote access needs.
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: STEMO on 29 December 2018, 13:09:19
I remember getting my Freeserve CD through the post. Our email address was @btinternet.co.uk and dial up was 1p a minute.
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: Lazydocker on 29 December 2018, 14:30:56
I've use 3 in every European country (EDIT: actually, not Monaco, San Marino or Vatican City...) west of, and including, Poland. And not had an issue in any of them. I would recommend them without hesitation.

But TB and I have clearly had very different 3 experiences. I run a dual SIM Vodafone and 3 now, the two networks have different dead spots but overall they're pretty similar IME. Not used voda outside the UK though as it's blocked by work (tight bar stewards)  ;D

They are also doing a lot to improve signal in rural England.  Example: my parents live in a village near Ludlow and their network has gone from basically nothing to a consistent 10mb 4g connection, with better speed outside.

I’ve also used 3 all over Europe, Australia and New Zealand with very few issues. The latter 2 being free roaming with “Feel at home” :y
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: TheBoy on 29 December 2018, 15:40:29
I’ve also used 3 all over Europe, Australia and New Zealand with very few issues. The latter 2 being free roaming with “Feel at home” :y
Roaming (outside Europe) is the primary use of my 3 SIM :y.
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: scimmy_man on 29 December 2018, 19:04:53
I had a 3 sim in my duel sim phone last august in europe,
the EE sim worked most places, (11 countries) the 3 sim didnt work past dover.
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: Lazydocker on 31 December 2018, 02:27:38
I had a 3 sim in my duel sim phone last august in europe,
the EE sim worked most places, (11 countries) the 3 sim didnt work past dover.

Clearly not unlocked for roaming then...  ;)
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: zirk on 31 December 2018, 07:10:45
I had a 3 sim in my duel sim phone last august in europe,
the EE sim worked most places, (11 countries) the 3 sim didnt work past dover.

Clearly not unlocked for roaming then...  ;)
And there was me thinking surprised he got coverage that far.
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: aaronjb on 31 December 2018, 10:25:40
I’ve also used 3 all over Europe, Australia and New Zealand with very few issues. The latter 2 being free roaming with “Feel at home” :y
Roaming (outside Europe) is the primary use of my 3 SIM :y.

Likewise. I was even pleasantly surprised to find it roamed (inclusive on my allowance) in Israel.
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: zirk on 31 December 2018, 19:13:35
Ive got an EE Double Speed Data Sim, 32GB which I get 50% Discount on, works out about £15 a month, your welcome to use that if you want to foot the Bill on a month to month basis Varche, or if you wanted to take it on I could probably Transfer it over to you as a Family and Friends Transfer, just need to check that the Discount will go over with it.

Its a Data Sim, so no Mins induced, does have 100 Texts per month included though, and it has an Roaming Allowance included, cant remember exactly what now, Tethering not a Problem, so can be used in a Phone (Hot Spot), Tablet, MiFi Device or Mobile Broadband Device (which is what it was designed for, hence why its one of those Double Speed jobbies)

Its out of Contract now, so its effectively a 30 Day Contract Sim, so as per norm, 30 days notice to Terminate, one of my Sons is currently using it at the moment until His Broadband gets connected which I think is in the first Week into January.


That is a great offer, thanks.  Could you check the roaming part please?. If a good percentage is available to roam I would have it for six months .
Ok Varche, had a looong chat with EE today re the Data Roaming, wasnt easy, never is or straight foward, but in a nut shell, yes, but All EE Customers are given a 15gb pm Data Roaming Fair Use Policy or Capping.

So the Data Sim Im talking about current has 32Gb which has a Pre Roaming agreement on (ie None) but they will change that for a 30gb UK with EU Roam on it, for a couple of quid more, without me losing my Discount or having to sign up for another Plan, ie Im still on 30 Day Termination, which with the Discount works out about £17 per month. But there is still the 15 GB Cap on it when Roaming. So the Other option (because I moaned) is they can put me on a lower Tariff say 15Gb UK and EU which will give 15GB in UK or 15 GB in EU when Roaming, this will work out at £25 less my Discount so will bring down to about £12 pm. again no loss of Discount and continue on a 30 Day notice, will this be of use to you in your your Travels.?

With the above because of my Privileges with EE I retain the right to revert back to my original 32GB UK Sim when the Travels are finished. There may be an RRP price increase around April time, All Networks do this now, which will be around 50p to a £1 depending on the Plan.

I also get very good Deals and Discounts with Vodafone which as a Business Customer probably wont have any Roaming Restrictions attached but that will mean you committing to a 12 Month Plan, which Is probably something you dont wont to do but maybe worth considering? I also asked about transferring the Sim over to you, which they will agree on and carry on the 30 Day Notice but you will not get the Discount benefits or be able to change plans etc.

Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: TheBoy on 02 January 2019, 11:40:59
Nonsense.  ::)

I can get a signal anywhere in Brackers except the Tiffins... Which was exactly the same with Eeek

The only real person who has issues with 3 is TuBy ;)

It’s generally more reliable than my work phone on O2
Looks like the OFCOM report has a confidentiality clause. Opps.

Here is another which doesn't, which shows virtually identical results, from a respected mobile analytics firm...

http://p3-networkanalytics.com/portfolio-item/uk-2-2/

Essentially, Evil Everywhere is best in all categories, 3 does well on data speed in larger towns but otherwise pretty poor, particularly in the real world long term tests.


So, hopefully that's finally put that one to bed.
Title: Re: Any good data SIM deals?
Post by: aaronjb on 02 January 2019, 11:49:32
I have a phone with two SIMs in it - EE and 3. EE does seem to have better LTE coverage than 3, most places I go, but when there isn't EE coverage there's almost always 3 coverage (defining "coverage" as "usable 4G") unless I'm really in the sticks.