Help with setting up a VPN

[peterc10]

I have a Huawei mifi and 4G roof aerial which works well for us in Europe and we were getting UK TV programmes easily. Last spring we had plenty of data via IQ Go, but that has now sadly stopped. Therefore I am planning to buy pre-loaded local short term SIMs to put into the mifi. As I understand it that will mean that I will need to use a VPN in order to get UK TV.

So my question is how can that be installed in the mifi? I suspect we will be getting more than one local SIM as we move around, so does the VPN need to be reinstalled each time I change the SIM?

Can I get a VPN that works for short periods or do all of them want a year's subscription? And finally what VPNS can you recommend for simplicity and cost?

Both of us have 12Gb roaming each from Smarty, which will be OK for calls and everyday browsing. It is the TV coverage will need more.

Many thanks for your help

 

[Orion]

Do you use a Firestick? Although I setup to use NordVPN on our router (Teltonika unfortunately so can’t help with your specific question) I’ve since found it easier to control and use when on individual devices, including the Firestick, phones, tablet and laptop. IIRC a Nord account allows up to ten devices within a family to be connected.

 

[fred_jb]

Are you using a smart TV? If so it is unlikely that you will be able to install the VPN app directly on the TV. This means you either have to VPN enable your router, or, as has been suggested, use a device like a Firestick plugged into an HDMI port on the TV, so long as that device allows you to install your choice of VPN app on it.

I use a Beryl router with my Starlink and it is possible, though a bit techie, to enable this to use my Surfshark VPN service. It may be that you could also do this with your router, so I would suggest doing some Google searches

The choice of VPN is also very important for streaming as all are not equally good at evading detection by the streaming companies. We use Surfshark which is a sister company of NordVPN, and this works well for most services. We have used it successfully for Netflix, iPlayer, ITVx, and SkySports app, but it didn't work with Amazon Prime which detected a VPN in use and refused to play.

 

[Manic]

I have a ZTE MU5001 and unfortunately you can’t put a vpn on that but I just run Surfshark on iPads, iPhone and Firestick.You can buy different periods but the longer you buy the cheaper it is.
I’ve found that iplayer wouldn’t work with surfshark but changing to ‘small packet’ that sorted it.

 

[Bessy765]

We use Express VPN, easy to instal, use it on firestick no problem with all channels and Amazon.

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[peterc10]

Thank you all.

My TV is not smart but I do use a firestick plugged into it for getting the UK TV programmes via my Mifi when in Europe. We normally use it for BBC, ITV, Channels 4 and 5 and other ones such as Dave and Yesterday. Only need it for the TV because our Smarty SIMs work for everything else we need.

So how do go about loading it the VPN onto the firestick? Do they give you detailed instructions?

 

[Steve and Denise]

Mind you don’t go onto one of the paid ones Peter it’s automatically renewed and charged for,
Don’t ask why I know this

 

[Orion]

I have the ‘uploader’ app on my Firestick to install any third party apps but you can probably do it directly by searching for the Nord (or whatever VPN you are going to use) on the Amazon App Store on the Firestick and downloading from there.

 

[ChrisL]

Personally I think a decent VPN is worth paying for, at the end of the day the developers have to make a living, I used to use Nord which was excellent but unfortunately their business model is such that they keep increasing the price until you cancel, then keep sending you emails offering you a 50% discount if you come back, not for me so i'm currently with surfshark which works well and was much more competitive, we'll see at renewal if they have the same business model or actually appreciate their customers staying with them. With regard to installing a VPN on a firestick, the following video shows how to install surfshark but the procedure will be the same for other VPN's.

 

[daveclare]

We use Express VPN on our phones, tablets and firestick. Works great wherever we go in Europe. Just search for and install 'downloader' on your firestick. Then use this to find and download Express vpn or any other vpn. You can then add any app or channel to a list on the vpn. So when you start the firestick you go to the vpn and find the channel you want to view.

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[Manic]

Thank you all.

My TV is not smart but I do use a firestick plugged into it for getting the UK TV programmes via my Mifi when in Europe. We normally use it for BBC, ITV, Channels 4 and 5 and other ones such as Dave and Yesterday. Only need it for the TV because our Smarty SIMs work for everything else we need.

So how do go about loading it the VPN onto the firestick? Do they give you detailed instructions?

Just download the app on the firestick

 

[mick qc]

Doesn’t using a vpn slow down your streaming.

 

[ChrisL]

Doesn’t using a vpn slow down your streaming.

It can do, but a decent one shouldn't slow it by much, if you have a poor connection already you might notice it more then if you have a good connection.

 

[mick qc]

I think I’ve been told why you need a vpn but I can’t remember.
Would you need a vpn if you used a tiekom sim

 

[Langtoftlad]

I think I’ve been told why you need a vpn but I can’t remember.
Would you need a vpn if you used a tiekom sim

Geo-spoofing
Making UK streaming services believe you are in the UK, using a UK sim when you're not.
Essential for Corrie & Easties

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[ChrisL]

If you are using a UK sim card you may not need a VPN for geo spoofing as you will have a British ip address, however there are other reasons for using a VPN, security being the main one as all data going through the VPN is encrypted.

 

[mick qc]

Surely if you’ve paid your subscription to Netflix sky sports etc you should be able to watch them anywhere in the world
Or am I preaching to the converted

 

[ChrisL]

Surely if you’ve paid your subscription to Netflix sky sports etc you should be able to watch them anywhere in the world
Or am I preaching to the converted

Different countries have different rights to programmes, so if you want to watch something only available on Netflix USA for instance then you need to connect to an American server before opening Netflix, Netflix will think you are viewing in America.

Edit: this can also effect programs that you might think of as British, it may have changed recently (I don't know if it has or not) but the latest series of Midsomer Murders was not available in the UK, in order to watch it I had to connect to an American server and watch on the Acorn streaming service.

 

[mick qc]

But when you subscribe to Netflix and sky sports you register a device, you would think you can then use that device anyway to watch UK Netflix and sky sports

 

[mick qc]

If you are using a UK sim card you may not need a VPN for geo spoofing as you will have a British ip address, however there are other reasons for using a VPN, security being the main one as all data going through the VPN is encrypted.

Ok, I’m pretty sure tiekom isn’t a uk sim

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[Manic]

Doesn’t using a vpn slow down your streaming.

It can do but I’ve found 4/5 g has better speed in eu so not an issue

 

[ChrisL]

But when you subscribe to Netflix and sky sports you register a device, you would think you can then use that device anyway to watch UK Netflix and sky sports

As I explained, Netflix may not have the rights to show any particular program worldwide so if you're using Netflix in Spain with a Spanish sim card you may not be able to view some programmes unless you fool it into thinking you are somewhere that Netflix does have the rights to stream the program you want too watch. The same goes for the BBC etc. Netflix is not device dependent by the way, I can watch it on my smart monitor, tablets and phone.

 

[peterc10]

I think I’ve been told why you need a vpn but I can’t remember.
Would you need a vpn if you used a tiekom sim

As I understand it most of apps for UK coverage (iplayer etc) requires that you are UK based when downloading the content. In order to do that you need a UK issued SIM like we did earlier this year using a IQ Go SIM. As I understand them VPNs can spoof where they are from.

 

[peterc10]

Surely if you’ve paid your subscription to Netflix sky sports etc you should be able to watch them anywhere in the world
Or am I preaching to the converted

All I want to view is the programmes accessed by Freeview in the UK. There is enough crap on there to keep me busy and I don't want to add any pay to view stuff like Netflix.

 

[ChrisL]

All I want to view is the programmes accessed by Freeview in the UK. There is enough crap on there to keep me busy and I don't want to add any pay to view stuff like Netflix.

If you are using a non uk sim then you will need a vpn connected to a uk server. The streaming service only sees the UK server you are connected to, the data between that server and you is encrypted so they can't tell where you are.

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[peterc10]

If you are using a non uk sim then you will need a vpn connected to a uk server. The streaming service only sees the UK server you are connected to, the data between that server and you is encrypted so they can't tell where you are.

Hence my original questions about recommendations as to which VPN to use and info on how I can get it installed. I originally thought that I would have to instal it on my mifi, but now I know I install it on my firestick attached to the TV.

 

[CAB96]

Ok, I’m pretty sure tiekom isn’t a uk sim

It's Spanish.

If you want to watch UK TV, or use a UK based service, you need a UK SIM card, or a foreign SIM and use a VPN.

 

[Manic]

Hence my original questions about recommendations as to which VPN to use and info on how I can get it installed. I originally thought that I would have to instal it on my mifi, but now I know I install it on my firestick attached to the TV.

I use Surfshark vpn ( unlimited devices) bought a 2 year deal that works out about £2 a month because I’m using a French sim.
On Firestick just search App Store for Surfshark , download app and sign in.
The only issue I’ve had with Surfshark is with iPlayer but I found in Surfshark vpn settings, turning on “small packet” iPlayer works fine.

 

[Manic]

I use Surfshark vpn ( unlimited devices) bought a 2 year deal that works out about £2 a month because I’m using a French sim.
On Firestick just search App Store for Surfshark , download app and sign in.
The only issue I’ve had with Surfshark is with iPlayer but I found in Surfshark vpn settings, turning on “small packet” iPlayer works fine.

Forgot to say , whatever VPN you choose, look on YouTube for VPN’s and follow link to buy as you usually get better deals than going direct

 

[MichaelT]

I have a ZTE MU5001 and unfortunately you can’t put a vpn on that but I just run Surfshark on iPads, iPhone and Firestick.You can buy different periods but the longer you buy the cheaper it is.
I’ve found that iplayer wouldn’t work with surfshark but changing to ‘small packet’ that sorted it.

According to this you can add a VPN on a MU5001. M8nes off at the moment so can't test it.

Open Settings-Network&internet-VPN.
Click to add a VPN configuration file. Enter the VPN network name, select the server type, enter the server address, and click to save the configuration file.
Click the configured VPN, enter the user name and password of the VPN, and click Connect.
Obtain the username and password for accessing the VPN from the VPN server administrator.

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