SIM Card Recommendations for Traveling

[Mower Man]

Good day to you all,

What sim cards do people use for the internet in a motor home/caravan? How much data are we likely to use if we are away approx 1-2 weeks a month and sometimes travelling abroad? Can you purchase one that you can disable when not using and then reactivate when needed and what are the best networks?

Many thanks

 

[ianto999]

It honestly shouldn't be hard. They all are the same. Password for wifi and Admin password printed on back (in the battery case usually) along with what to enter into your laptop to get logged in (web url to the admin page). That is something I do use a smart phone camera for though as the text is so small it's hard to read so I would suggest if you don't hvae a smart phoen you transpose that information to a notebook in the van as it's impossible to see if it's in a motorhome cupboard (as ours lives).

All there is to change is the APN for a sim card, and the ZTE is handily preprogrammed for many UK sims already so you just put sim in, turn on, done in most cases. It is in general very simple to configure and use any wifi router, and they all are near enough same these days. For newer providers you may need to change the APN depending on who suppleis the sim. I'd be more than happy to run anyone through configuring these at a motorhome show if they need it, we're at Norwich next week and can go through how ours works (we have the older cat12 ZTE, but it's same pretty much as a newer one).

Is there a website somewhere that shows this so I can see before I buy one..?
Thanks

 

[starquake]

Is there a website somewhere that shows this so I can see before I buy one..?
Thanks

Likely in the manual for the ZTE device. If you search APN settings for ZTE on youtube, you'll get literally HUNDREDS of videos showing the process. The warning I give with ZTE devices is you MUST turn off mobile data in the options PRIOR to changing any APN setting. (it can get stuck on a bad APN). Turn off mobile data on the device through the gui, then go to apn settings and change then, finally turn back on the mobile data.

It's not hard if you grab a video. The settings for your sim card we write down, you usually only need the APN name, username and password. For an ee carrier memory is it's normally everywhere, with username eesecure and password secure with auth type = none.
(finall option isn't saying don't authenticate, it's saying don't use encryption when authenticating despite "none". ^ works for all carriers that use EE in general (including virtual carriers).

For Three native sims, it's three.co.uk with no username or password and auth type - none again. Make sure the username/password totally blank as anything in there breaks it. For Smarty there are some other settings if you roam (need to look them up).

If you use a Three setting on a smarty sim, it will work, but it'll be slow and won't roam. Ditto vice versa, which is why we recomend you check APN settings as most ZTE devices are prone to using Smarty settings on a Three "normal sim" which slows the performance quite a lot.

 

[Manic]

Is there a website somewhere that shows this so I can see before I buy one..?
Thanks

If I’m using a sim in my router/mifi I put it in phone to register it and take a screenshot of the APN to input it into the router/mifi

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

Yes idmobile resets for the next month 30gb a month.

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[ianto999]

If I’m using a sim in my router/mifi I put it in phone to register it and take a screenshot of the APN to input it into the router/mifi

Nice tip - thanks

 

[mick qc]

Been looking at 1p mobile for use in the uk.
Has anyone had any fair use issues with their unlimited data packages

 

[Blackrose]

Good day to you all,

What sim cards do people use for the internet in a motor home/caravan? How much data are we likely to use if we are away approx 1-2 weeks a month and sometimes travelling abroad? Can you purchase one that you can disable when not using and then reactivate when needed and what are the best networks?

Many thanks

Hi I am still searching for an unlimited data sim to go into our router for our next trip January france/Spain without much success . This year I bought a Sim from Vodafone on our way down through Spain it worked very well amd cost about 32Euro a month charged to your bank account the only problem was to cancel it as they make it very difficult and we ended up paying an extra month when we were back in uk. There must be a company out there that you can buy an unlimited data sim payable monthly and easy to cancel,100mb is not enough per month as we are in europe for the max 90 days
If anybody has any suggestions they would be very welcome

 

[MichaelT]

Hi I am still searching for an unlimited data sim to go into our router for our next trip January france/Spain without much success . This year I bought a Sim from Vodafone on our way down through Spain it worked very well amd cost about 32Euro a month charged to your bank account the only problem was to cancel it as they make it very difficult and we ended up paying an extra month when we were back in uk. There must be a company out there that you can buy an unlimited data sim payable monthly and easy to cancel,100mb is not enough per month as we are in europe for the max 90 days
If anybody has any suggestions they would be very welcome

IQ Mobile, just buy multiple of 100gb as needed.

 

[Westrow3]

Hi I am still searching for an unlimited data sim to go into our router for our next trip January france/Spain without much success . This year I bought a Sim from Vodafone on our way down through Spain it worked very well amd cost about 32Euro a month charged to your bank account the only problem was to cancel it as they make it very difficult and we ended up paying an extra month when we were back in uk. There must be a company out there that you can buy an unlimited data sim payable monthly and easy to cancel,100mb is not enough per month as we are in europe for the max 90 days
If anybody has any suggestions they would be very welcome

This looks like it ticks the boxes https://connectpls.com/unlimited-data-sim/. I've ordered, the sim arrived in a couple of days by Special Delivery. I have it connected in my router (it's a vodafone sim), heading abroad next week so will see how it goes.

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[MichaelT]

This looks like it ticks the boxes https://connectpls.com/unlimited-data-sim/. I've ordered, the sim arrived in a couple of days by Special Delivery. I have it connected in my router (it's a vodafone sim), heading abroad next week so will see how it goes.

That's £59 per month?

 

[Westrow3]

That's £59 per month?

There are some discount codes available online.

 

[Blackrose]

This looks like it ticks the boxes https://connectpls.com/unlimited-data-sim/. I've ordered, the sim arrived in a couple of days by Special Delivery. I have it connected in my router (it's a vodafone sim), heading abroad next week so will see how it goes.

 

[Blackrose]

Thank you very much will look in to this one

 

[Pebble99]

I've got the IQ Go sim. Used it in a TP link last week in Holland, Germany and France, no problems. Have just ordered the ZTE U50 - 5G Mobile Wi-Fi router from IQ as well. We also have ID Mobile for our phones which give us 30GB roaming each.

How are you finding the ZTE U50?

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[starquake]

There are some discount codes available online.

Even so, it's more than my ANNUAL internet costs for the van in a month, and we're heavy data users.

Personally if spending that much I'd be buying a starlink mini.

 

[Apacheman]

Good day to you all,

What sim cards do people use for the internet in a motor home/caravan? How much data are we likely to use if we are away approx 1-2 weeks a month and sometimes travelling abroad? Can you purchase one that you can disable when not using and then reactivate when needed and what are the best networks?

Many thanks

Previously we have used Popit mobile. £25 for 100gb 30 day rolling contract. My wife recently renewed her phone contract with EE. £10 per month unlimited data. Next time we go we will pay EE £25 per month for the time we are away to unlock her data across the EU. Anyone with EE and with plenty of data might consider that option.
I use ID mobile. £7 per month for 15gb. Unused data rolls to next month up to a max of 30gb. I can use all that no charge in the EU.

 

[Compusol]

Thank you for your valued information regarding the IQ mobile and i take it that this works purely abroad? Was hoping that we could get one which we could use in the UK and also abroad? Not too clued up on modern tech as you can tell ha ha

The IQ Mobile SIM works in the UK as well as the rest of Europe. We have used it for the past four months in the UK, France and Spain, absolutely perfect coverage everywhere we went.

 

[colyboy]

Good day to you all,

What sim cards do people use for the internet in a motor home/caravan? How much data are we likely to use if we are away approx 1-2 weeks a month and sometimes travelling abroad? Can you purchase one that you can disable when not using and then reactivate when needed and what are the best networks?

Many thanks

Try IQ Mobile they have some good deals . When you ring them you speak to a real person!
Colyboy

 

[Soycd]

How are you finding the ZTE U50?

Really pleased with it. Currently in Greece and it using it right now. It's worked well through Germany, Italy as well. Had a few iffy nights weatherwise so were able to watch iPlayer without any buffering issues. Have also FaceTimed with folk in UK. We are using an IQ Mobile Go sim which is really good.

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[DerryW]

Currently using IQ GO Sim, no problems so far

 

[MichaelT]

IQ mobile as above you just buy the data as and when you need it. We are away Thursday for a month or so, so I bought 100gb to start Thursday and will monitor and top up when needed.

The 100gb lasted

 

[Bettysbus]

Hi
There are loads of options and a few threads on here about this already. We've recently just been in France for just under 4 weeks. We had an IQ Mobile 100gb data sim which just about covered our usage but the Euro's did start part way through our trip and I watched quite a few matches. You buy the sim for 1 month and then buy again mid-month or the following month if you need more. No contract but you do have to pay £20 for the sim card which is an annual fee. So in the above example we paid £40 total and another 100gb next month (or any month in next year) would be another £20. Roaming is unlimited, it was usually a stronger signal than the campsite wifi, and I never struggled to get a service, anywhere in France. Oh and their support (Frazer) was first class and helped me no end when my router wouldn't connect at first install.

Totally agree. Buying the data when you need it suited me and was a saving over the year from my Smarty card

 

[Mike123]

Quick update to the thread -

Portugal - 15 day sim - unlimited data Vodaphone €20.

Spain data sim 150gb - registered - €15

Both sims used in HUAWEI MI-FI

Sept 24

 

[9Etype]

eSIMs. Always the best option. Easy to use and activate.

I always use Buddysim. Good prices, compared to other providers. I'd say about 20% cheaper.

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[Apacheman]

My wife has a £10pm 30 day EE sim. Unlimited calls, texts and data (EE linked broadband deal). Her SIM card went faulty a couple of weeks ago so she went to the EE shop and they sorted it. She mentioned roaming in the EU and the assistant told her to visit the shop before next heading to the EU where they could put her on a £16pm rolling 30 day contract which would give her the calls, texts and Unlimited data across the EU. Once home she can revert back to the £10 per month. For anyone on a similar EE deal, it might be worth considering.

 

[Bessy765]

We’re in Spain and just picked up a Tiekom sim from their Ovedio office. 400 gb in Spain 200 gb anywhere in the EU or UK 34 Euros a month, hold it for 4 Euros a month when not needed. Using Express VPN all channels no problem. Excellent service from Camino and the gentleman in the Ovedio office. Including spare SIM cards in case of problems.

 

[matbic]

eSIMs. Always the best option. Easy to use and activate.

I always use Buddysim. Good prices, compared to other providers. I'd say about 20% cheaper.

Try Airhub it seems better value particularly if you need lots of data. But I agree eSIM is the best way forward - no silly contract and you just get one when you need it.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

eSIMs. Always the best option. Easy to use and activate.

I always use Buddysim. Good prices, compared to other providers. I'd say about 20% cheaper.

We are just looking at eSIMs for our trip to Cambodia and Vietnam. Our phones are not locked to any provider, but do we need to do speak with our current provider or can we just buy the one that looks the best, load it and that’s it? It’s blowing my mind a bit!

 

[Minxy]

We are just looking at eSIMs for our trip to Cambodia and Vietnam. Our phones are not locked to any provider, but do we need to do speak with our current provider or can we just buy the one that looks the best, load it and that’s it? It’s blowing my mind a bit!

First you need to check that your phone can take eSims as many can't.

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[carolyn]

We are just looking at eSIMs for our trip to Cambodia and Vietnam. Our phones are not locked to any provider, but do we need to do speak with our current provider or can we just buy the one that looks the best, load it and that’s it? It’s blowing my mind a bit!

We’ve used Airalo in Turkey and Serbia no problem. If you have a phone that cant use esims then don’t worry Local sims in Cambodia and Vietnam are cheap and easy. That’s what son and girlfriend (now fiancé) did last year when travelling for months. They have iphones so could have gone the esim route but the Local sims were cheap and easy. It also means you have a phone for making calls to hostels. Data calls really aren’t as good outside big cities either.

Esims are great for us motorhome travellers as you immediately have data for google/apple etc maps as soon as you cross the border but local sims still have their place I think for certain types of travel.

Nick’s android is great as you can have 2 physical Sims but they are becoming increasingly hard to get. Not that I want an android!