Broadband alternative question

[Mike Parkins]

My VM broadband is getting more and more expensive, approaching £70pm soon. I could try to haggle with them for a cheaper deal but I don't want to lock in to a contract and would like something I can take with me when I move. I was wondering about using something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BD9BH7TB and a smarty sim instead... Anyone tried this alternative and recommend it?
mike.

 

[Fantazia2]

A guy at work uses 5G at home and says he gets really good speeds on it, but it does depend on what the signal is like in your area though, dont think it was available where I am last time I looked.

Have you checked Smartys Covered where you are, they use the 3 network and its who I use for my Mobile currently and I get a crap internet speed/4G signal where I live.

A few years ago I moved from Virgin Media to just tethering my phone on 4G for everything and that worked quite well for just me on my own including online gaming until lockdown happened and then the speed just completely dropped off on 4G probably due to the increase of phones connecting to the local masts as Im on the edge of my town, so ended up going back to Virgin Media as had an offer through work.

Have never gone back due to the above issue but havent paid any more the £22 per month since 2020 for at first 100MB connection but now down to 50MB to keep the price down, eveytime they announce a price rise I jujst ring up, ignore the first automated discount they offer and speak to someone and they always add another discount on that brings the price back down to what it was before, and they always apply it straight away so you get the discount before they even put the price up.

 

[Deleted member 2463]

My VM broadband is getting more and more expensive, approaching £70pm soon. I could try to haggle with them for a cheaper deal but I don't want to lock in to a contract and would like something I can take with me when I move. I was wondering about using something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BD9BH7TB and a smarty sim instead... Anyone tried this alternative and recommend it?
mike.

pretty sure it will work if you have signal but I can tell you that in the T&Cs there will be a fair usage policy that if you are consistently spanking the line they will pull the plug. at The prices these smarty and other low cost sims are selling no one is making money and a big correction in the mobile space has to come soon.

£70 a month?! I’m on 1G and pay £45. check out uswitch. even if you are in a contract they have to allow you to move house.

 

[Fenny]

My VM broadband is getting more and more expensive, approaching £70pm soon. I could try to haggle with them for a cheaper deal but I don't want to lock in to a contract and would like something I can take with me when I move. I was wondering about using something like this https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BD9BH7TB and a smarty sim instead... Anyone tried this alternative and recommend it?
mike.

Hi - suggest you try it first, have 30 days to cancel if you dont get 4g / 5g speeds suitable - free for 3 months, then £20 a month.
(You can then buy as many as you like at the time Unlimited everything sims including data for £12.00 a month on 24 month contract - also if you have to cancel the broadband you keep the sim(s) at that price)

So if it ends up no good in your area it has cost you nothing.
(Sometimes the coverage checker says ok but you could find it's not)

4G & 5G Home Broadband Deals | Unlimited Home Broadband | Three

Discover our 4G and 5G unlimited home broadband deals. Pay monthly contracts with our unlimited data plan, and connect up to 64 devices – only at Three.

www.three.co.uk

Just go into store a pick up the 5g version even if you can't get 5G yet as when it comes you'll have the right hub; it's 4g compatible.

It's this exact same hub so why on earth pay £219 for one.

PS - I know this as I just got one and no I dont work for Three

 

[Mike Parkins]

Hi - suggest you try it first, have 30 days to cancel if you dont get 4g / 5g speeds suitable - free for 3 months, then £20 a month.
(You can then buy as many as you like at the time Unlimited everything sims including data for £12.00 a month on 24 month contract - also if you have to cancel the broadband you keep the sim(s) at that price)

So if it ends up no good in your area it has cost you nothing.
(Sometimes the coverage checker says ok but you could find it's not)

4G & 5G Home Broadband Deals | Unlimited Home Broadband | Three

Discover our 4G and 5G unlimited home broadband deals. Pay monthly contracts with our unlimited data plan, and connect up to 64 devices – only at Three.

www.three.co.uk

Just go into store a pick up the 5g version even if you can't get 5G yet as when it comes you'll have the right hub; it's 4g compatible.

It's this exact same hub so why on earth pay £219 for one.

PS - I know this as I just got one and no I dont work for Three

I must admit I assumed it would be more expensive to go with the official 3 website but that looks like a good option, I will have a look - thanks

 

[JT.]

My last BT price hike was going up to around £80 per month. I phoned them and, after much discussion, eventually got it down to about £40 for the same performance / service. Might be worth calling your provider.

 

[Colywobbles]

I am now with Vodaphone for this very reason as both BT and VM kept hiking the price so for the past few years ive bounced from one to the other taking there new customer deal up every 2-4 years as min term is sometimes 12-24mths.
That said at the end of last year I went on a curvball and tried Vodaphones 18mth deal which gives you 67 MB deal for £24 per month / 18 mth
It has been flawless for streaming and unlimited DLs and the router comes with a super repeater I have plugged in the opposite side of the house upstairs. Further to this it has a 5g dongle plugged in for uninterrupted internet should a fault occur on the line which upto now has never happened.

worth looking into IMO

 

[Pick Holder]

IF you are happy with Virgin media what you do is call them and say you want to disconnect.
They will eventually put you thru to a UK based representative.
Their job is to keep you.
Say you can get a better deal - do your research first and after some playing she will match it.
Also point out 'I have been a customer for xx years and you are offering the same deal for xx a month to new custoemrs.... am I not important'
I play this game every 18 months or 2 years (however long the contract is).
VM does have its disadvantages but unless you can get on proper fibre to the premises for cheaper, you do not have a better option.
I live in an area covered by the Bournville trust (Cadburys) and BT had to take down the fibre poles down our road due to this. The parallel road has fibre to the house as different post code.
I had 18months away from VM and went to the Vodafone hub with a sim card in it - got half decent downloads but uploads not as good. It also seemed to 'go to sleep' so streaming radio via alexa used to pack up now and again.