Best USB 3/4G Dongle to use in UK and France

[ymfb]

I need a USB dongle that I can use both here and in France, ideally something that can be topped up on line and doesn't time expire or at least has a reasonable credit life.

Can anyone recommend a dongle and a provider.

Thanks

 

[Grey Beard]

I don't know what is best, but I recently bought an unlocked International HUAWEI E3131 UNLOCKED Mobile Broadband Dongle 21MBPS 3G 4G SIM FREE Dongle for my Dell Studio Laptop. (Although my Dell Laptop has a SIM Card slot underneath the battery, it doesn't seem to have the hardware installed to match it). Anyway, I was in central Scotland and needed a WiFi connection.

I bought that on eBay for UKP22.00. Prices in a very large local TESCO were stupidly high, so eBay was a no brainer.

I bought an EE Data Card 2GB in Edinburgh 2GB for UKP15. It can be topped up and it is 4G, but I think the data allowance is lost if it is not used in the 30 days or so. I think they probably allow you to buy more on line using PayPal, Credit Card, etc.

Haven't tried it elsewhere - I think if I was in Norway, etc. I would just buy another card there. I guess if you have a data card for an iPad, etc. with one of the big providers, they will have partners in most other countries and your UK supplier may supply a second card at a better rate.

As regards performance, it worked OK, but in Central Scotland/Fife at my Mother's house, it was difficult to get 4G speed, because the mobile signal just wasn't up to scratch. It was however, much better in Aberdeen at a sister's house. The Dongle has different coloured lights to indicate what signal capability is being received.

Sorry no experience of other Mobile Broadband dongles and packages in the UK.

Grey Beard

 

[ymfb]

The biggest problem is when I go abroad, previously in France you could only get a SIM if you had a french address.

 

[Grey Beard]

The biggest problem is when I go abroad, previously in France you could only get a SIM if you had a french address.

I guess they need to register SIMs to a physical address in case that card is responsible for Internet abuse, etc. However, didn't have any problem buying the card in Edinburgh (possibly gave a UK address, but I don't think it was critical) and I have bought a card in Norway, though never got a chance to use it. The shop just wrote down the name of the town where I bought the card.

I suppose, you would have to use a card from O2, 3, EE, Vodafone, etc. in the UK and then get a package from them to use it at an economical rate, whilst in France or elsewhere.

Grey Beard

 

[newboy]

Just roam

Far simpler and cheaper now

 

[JayC]

I am guessing you're not interested in a MiFi contract?

 

[OTTer]

I would suggest you get a wireless modem rather than a dongle but don't know whether it would work in both countries. The advantage is you can connect iPhone/pad, smartphone/tablet, laptop etc at the same time if necessary and no need for USB connection.
I got a 3 Ireland modem (Huawei) for use in Ireland and despite assurances to the contrary, it won't work with a 3 UK Sim and I don't want data roaming or whatever it's called.
Whether an unlocked modem will connect to all European networks I sorry I don't know, the eBay ads seem to suggest it will?
Hope this helps a bit?

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Have a look at 3 UK , they don't charge roaming prices in a lot of EU countries along with the US and I think OZ. You just use whatever your allowance is. Check on their website to make sure France is included in that deal.
Depending on what phone you have you might be better with their just a sim one account that has unlimited Internet and tethering included. You then just turn your phone into a wifi hotshot and use that with the laptop or whatever. This is what I do every day in life and it's a bargain at something like £15 a month.

 

[stolzy]

I'm with O2 and they just charge a fixed £1.50 per day for 3G access in the EU. You then just use MB from your daily allowance.

One of the benefits of EU membership the Dail Mail doesn't tell you about.

 

[uncle dick]

Be very careful if you want to roam with an Orange contract. They tell you to text a certain number to enable the cheap deal and it never works. That leaves you on the normal rate which is £1.43 per mb. Three European trips last year cost a bomb. It was cheaper when I was on PAYG. WiFi is not as prevalent as you might think either.

 

[Fluffmeister]

I'm on Three UK, and when in the EU I get the Euro Internet Pass, £5 per day for all you can eat data and I tether with it, and make my calls home via Skype. Works really well for me.