3 Mobile and Tethering in Europe Again!

[Minxy]

When you used it abroad were you restricted to under 20gig

Sorry had a couple at the 60’s Soul do

Only a couple .... yeah a likely story!

Yes there's a max data usage of 19gb per month abroad (or less if your contract is for less), although 'go binge' doesn't come out of this but we've never used it anyway as we only do email checking, browsing etc, no streaming etc.

 

[Geo]

I read
3 have re released the Black Friday superdeal
unlimited everything £20 a month sim only
Sounds good to me

 

[DBK]

My phone is currently on a low data package with 3. I was close to upgrading to their unlimited data plan and then yesterday couldn't even get 3G at home although normally get 4G on it so now I'm not sure. I am also concerned about their coverage in the West side of Scotland.
My wi-fi dongle is with EE and generally we get good coverage, but it is quite a bit more expensive for what you get. The Vodafone site doesn't show a national coverage map - hard to know which way to go

Buy the cheapest PAYG sim card from Vodafone and try it at home. There is a Vodafone coverage map but you can never trust them.

 

[Bustup15]

I'm off to France on Monday so i hope my 3 will work OK there? I know the limit is 19gb as i have 30gb on my contract but didn't know i wouldn't be able to tether, i do this quote a lot abroad.

Never had any issues tethering with 3 when abroad?

 

[Glynbo]

I also have never had a problem tethering on 3 in Europe

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[Gcs]

Never had any issues tethering with 3 when abroad?

Me neither, just had 6 weeks travelling through Spain, France an Italy, had 4G probably 90% of the time and only lost coverage through tunnels etc and even then kept it through some of them. The Mrs is on O2 and managed to catch up on her soaps just about every night as well, tethering from her phone. (So there is a God )
Coverage noticeable much better than the Uk

 

[clanjones]

I think 3 were forced to change their T&C re tethering abroad recently by Ofcom. You can't find it on their website through!

It was a deal breaker for us last year and they confirmed we couldn't tether. However this year I was told you could but they wouldn't release the web page to me. It was for only internal consumption!

They are also rolling out 4G across Europe but I think (happy to be corrected) don't have their own network abroad so have to 'buy lease' the bandwidth.

Like EE they gave a fair use policy 15 gig for EE I think and a maximum of 19 gig for 3 depending on the plan.

 

[busby]

Thanks to advice from fellow funster I can now tether my phone..100 gb on Vodaphone..Been fast in Spain and Portugal..Watched football last night,,brilliant. Much better than my 3 dongle..Well chuffed BUSBY

 

[Wissel]

For the past year (since going full-time) we have had a 3 Data Sim in our router - 40GB for £22 per month.

I knew about the unlimited data available on 3 phone contracts, but heard these should be in a phone, not a router, so lived with the 40GB. Until now

I had no idea that although 3 don't supply any data sims with more than 40GB, they do if ordering HomeFi. Just ordered this with unlimited data and a router thrown in for the same £22 a month. Guess I'm the only idiot that didn't know this already

 

[clanjones]

@Wissel I don't think our are an idiot at all as things are moving so fast and I am not convinved that the network are that open about it! I have just found this data on the Ofcom site (don't ask why I am on an Ofcom site!) I have extracted some bits but this is the full link below.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofco...mpetition-bulletins/all-closed-cases/cw_01218

Couple of bullet points, which are new to me, but borne out by Funsters. Extract from the Ofcom ruling below

Three has also confirmed that, from December 2018 (or earlier), it will:

• cease to restrict video quality to Standard Definition when its customers are roaming in the EU;
• remove any specific tethering or hotspot allowance for new or upgrading customers, to allow for unrestricted tethering (within the UK or EU);
• remove any requirements for customers to purchase a Data Passport to tether when roaming in the EU;
• allow customers on all Advanced Plans to tether without restriction; and
• allow customers on Essential Plans to tether on their current plan, or to migrate to the nearest equivalent Advanced Plan available at that time.

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[clanjones]

My next plan is have a chat with a 3 shop about tethering and confirm that there are no restrictions on data! I'll keep you posted!

 

[clanjones]

Jeez Peeps this is confusing! Must go and read a novel. This is from 3 website:-

Use of your data allowance in Go Roam in Europe destinations is included subject to a fair use limit. If you have a data allowance of 19GB or more, you can use up to a fair use limit of 19GB of your data allowance (or 15GB if you're on Pay As You Go) at no extra cost. Use of your data allowance in Go Roam Around the World destinations is included subject to a fair use limit. If you have a data allowance of 12GB or more, you can use up to a fair use limit of 12GB of your data allowance at no extra cost.

It would seem the Ofcom quidance is not as transparent as it would seem because:-

The 15GB/19GB per month EU fair usage limit actually comes from EU roaming legislation (see the FAQs here from the European Commission – specifically 4 and 19).
The Ofcom statement refers specifically to net neutrality: the idea that traffic should not be discriminated on based on the device that is used. In the past, Three gave tethered devices a separate data allowance – however, this is now no longer allowed and there is a single allowance for both your smartphone and tethered devices.

I am now going to read a novel but at least I have avoided a trip to a 3 shop!

 

[Minxy]

I've got a definite 'de ja vu' feeling ... I'm pretty sure I've mentioned a load of this previously ...

 

[Minxy]

For the past year (since going full-time) we have had a 3 Data Sim in our router - 40GB for £22 per month.

I knew about the unlimited data available on 3 phone contracts, but heard these should be in a phone, not a router, so lived with the 40GB. Until now

I had no idea that although 3 don't supply any data sims with more than 40GB, they do if ordering HomeFi. Just ordered this with unlimited data and a router thrown in for the same £22 a month. Guess I'm the only idiot that didn't know this already

Why didn't you go for an unlimited phone sim at £20 a month (for 12 months) or less cost if you can find it on offer on some sites, rather than £22 a month which is no doubt for 24 months?

You can use a Three phone sim in a MIFI if you wish and have been able to do so for a while, we just use our phone and tether to it without any restriction in speed or data usage.

 

[Wissel]

Why didn't you go for an unlimited phone sim at £20 a month (for 12 months) or less cost if you can find it on offer on some sites, rather than £22 a month which is no doubt for 24 months?

You can use a Three phone sim in a MIFI if you wish and have been able to do so for a while, we just use our phone and tether to it without any restriction in speed or data usage.

Couple of reasons. Firstly, we have a 4G roof antenna which makes a lot of difference in some areas.

Secondly, our van needs the router for everything to work (needs an always on wi-fi network like a house).

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[Minxy]

Couple of reasons. Firstly, we have a 4G roof antenna which makes a lot of difference in some areas.

Secondly, our van needs the router for everything to work (needs an always on wi-fi network like a house).

If you already had a router you could just have used the phone sim in it, what router did you get with your deal?

 

[Wissel]

If you already had a router you could just have used the phone sim in it, what router did you get with your deal?

I'm sure I read something a year or so ago, about the phone sim not working properly in a router? This was the reason I originally went for the broadband sim.

The deal came with a Huawei B311 router, which is practically the same as the B315 router I already have (same apart from the 315 can have a voip phone plugged in directly - a feature I don't use).

So I now have (well, will later today when it arrives) a spare router which I'll probably sell on.

I've changed the way our van electrics work quite drastically over the last year. Besides the big changes (a lot more solar and a great inverter so 240v is always on - without using a lot of power), I've added automation to the van.

I can now control almost everything from my phone (anywhere) and used an Echo for it's "routines". This means that I can press a single button to put the van to sleep at night, have it set up for work automatically at 8am, etc, etc.

It also sets the van up when I stop, with different buttons for different setups. For instance, If I arrive on a site, I press a single button and the step extends, the awning extends, the PC starts, etc. If I want to drive away, another button puts everything away, switches everything into it's travel mode and locks all the doors/drawers etc. I can also check on the outside of the van from anywhere via CCTV, plus check in on my dog (he loves his van, this is just for my peace of mind).

I added a few other "routines" that are a bit more fun. "Party" mode powers the sound system, starts a playlist and alters the mood lighting. Sadly it doesn't pour me a drink

All of the automation and cameras run via WiFi, hence the need for the router. Internally, this all works without a 4G signal (just needs the router on) and we have two other 4G networks that we can tether from phones for internet access if needed. The system can also switch to a WiFi network like FON (4G router has my old Alfa router attached) as a further backup.

I know most will read this and think it ridiculously complicated, but it's the opposite. I used to hate, say, deciding to drive off somewhere and having to put the van away. Then get half way up the road and a drawer fly open . Now the van does it all itself

Although everything can be manually overridden if something failed.

 

[Minxy]

With your needs/usage I'm surprised you haven't gone for a 300mps MIFI instead of a 150mps router.

We have a B310 router (virtually identical to yours) which is also 150mps and can be run from mains or 12v so I assume you're gonna 'hard wire' it into the van?

Also ... what happens if your phone dies? Will you have a panic attack?

 

[Wellington]

@Wissel How much to do mine? Sounds perfect!

We’re going to get a Mifi and a Smarty payg sim. 30 day contract, cancel anytime, unlimited EU use, I’ve checked (twice) that there are no restrictions on European use.

£25 a month, and £25 amazon voucher, so a month’s unlimited streaming is going to cost us about a tenner, including buying the Mifi doodah.

 

[Wissel]

With your needs/usage I'm surprised you haven't gone for a 300mps MIFI instead of a 150mps router.

We have a B310 router (virtually identical to yours) which is also 150mps and can be run from mains or 12v so I assume you're gonna 'hard wire' it into the van?

Also ... what happens if your phone dies? Will you have a panic attack?

Ours is hard wired to van (via 12v regulator - these need a clean 12v supply).

Regarding phone - it did die. Two weeks ago. Was hell
(because I need it to monitor work - not someone who lives on their phone thankfully).
On the plus side, I collected from repairers this morning (just got back). My Pixel 2XL couldn't be fixed, so they gave me a brand new Pixel 3XL. Result

The new 3 router has just turned up as well. Might try the sim in the old router first - if it's fine I won't have to change all the WiFi codes

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[ABZSteve]

Jasz, we have now given up on dongles, site Wi-fi, etc and just use tethering from our vodaphone iphones. Just watched the match tonight on BT on my iPad Pro tethered to my phone, fab connection and used 2gb of data!
On the caravan club site in Knaresborough with a decent 4g signal.
Bill

Ditto on how I watched the match. Was at Tarland CCC site on Deeside. Phone was on GRPS most of the day then 20 minutes from kick-off, it went to 3G. Signal not strong enough to allow my Chromecast to be set up but no problem watching the entire game on my ipad. I think I will go doen the tethering to iphone route from now on. However, I think I need to share the cost burden with my work, they have been paying for it for a while now. I will wait to see if anyone moans when they get the bill in this month

 

[RobandSheila]

I don't a monthly contract. However if I buy a data only sim does it always have to be used within 30 days of being first activated? Or does it last until all the data has been used up.?

 

[Minxy]

I don't a monthly contract. However if I buy a data only sim does it always have to be used within 30 days of being first activated? Or does it last until all the data has been used up.?

If you buy a preloaded sim you have until the end of the sim period to use it, eg Three do 3gb ones that lasts 3 months, 12gb = 12 months and 24gb = 24 months, obviously if you use the data up before that date then you can either add more yourself of buy another sim.

For monthly contract ones with Three you only have 30 days to use it.

 

[RobandSheila]

Thanks for that Minxy.

 

[Lenny HB]

I can now control almost everything from my phone (anywhere) and used an Echo for it's "routines". This means that I can press a single button to put the van to sleep at night, have it set up for work automatically at 8am, etc, etc.

It also sets the van up when I stop, with different buttons for different setups. For instance, If I arrive on a site, I press a single button and the step extends, the awning extends, the PC starts, etc. If I want to drive away, another button puts everything away, switches everything into it's travel mode and locks all the doors/drawers etc. I can also check on the outside of the van from anywhere via CCTV, plus check in on my dog (he loves his van, this is just for my peace of mind).

I added a few other "routines" that are a bit more fun. "Party" mode powers the sound system, starts a playlist and alters the mood lighting. Sadly it doesn't pour me a drink

All of the automation and cameras run via WiFi, hence the need for the router. Internally, this all works without a 4G signal (just needs the router on) and we have two other 4G networks that we can tether from phones for internet access if needed. The system can also switch to a WiFi network like FON (4G router has my old Alfa router attached) as a further backup.

I know most will read this and think it ridiculously complicated, but it's the opposite. I used to hate, say, deciding to drive off somewhere and having to put the van away. Then get half way up the road and a drawer fly open . Now the van does it all itself

Although everything can be manually overridden if something failed.

Cool man

You got me twitching but if I start pulling the van apart again 'er indoors will have my guts.

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[Bustup15]

@Wissel How much to do mine? Sounds perfect!

We’re going to get a Mifi and a Smarty payg sim. 30 day contract, cancel anytime, unlimited EU use, I’ve checked (twice) that there are no restrictions on European use.

£25 a month, and £25 amazon voucher, so a month’s unlimited streaming is going to cost us about a tenner, including buying the Mifi doodah.

Wellington see reply from Smarty when I queried with them about EU useage limits received today - I thought it was odd as they use 3 network and that's limited in the EU.

Hi there, With our Unlimited plan there’s no hidden ‘fair use policies’ within the UK, giving you all the access to the Internet you’d need without worrying about hefty bills and no data speed restrictions. Even if you used your phone for every minute of every day, you’d only use around 1,000GB each month. We’ve set a usage cap at 1,000GB in order to identify commercial use of our service for example, which is not permitted under our terms.

However, if you’re travelling in the EU, you will be subject to our fair use limit of 19GB each month.

If you have any further queries please don't hesitate to contact us

 

[Wellington]

Annoying, because I queried it TWICE. I’m not surprised, everyone rise is limiting.

 

[denisejoe]

We've been in France for a month and had 4G most of the time. Have also been using for tethering.

Joe has a contract and I have a 12 GB PAYG 12 Month date sim.

Denise

 

[Manic]

We've been in France for a month and had 4G most of the time. Have also been using for tethering.

Joe has a contract and I have a 12 GB PAYG 12 Month date sim.

Denise

4G for me to in France, definitely better than it used to be.