Using my "mobile" SIM in a 4G router

Hooked · 08-09-2020 3:35pm #1

Hi all

I took delivery today of a Huawei B311 wifi router (amazon, UK, unlocked) with the intention of popping my Vodafone "phone" PAYG sim (smart extra contract - calls, texts and 20GB data)... For use in my campervan, streaming content to my TV.

I thought it would just be a case of popping in my SIM - but while all signals/lights are good on the "router" box... I've no internet...

I am trying (for test purposes) to access the web on my phone using the Huawei B311 (which is listed and connected) in my wifi settings.

Have I extra setup to do, changing VPN settings, etc?
Or do I need a "broadband" specific SIM / plan?

Total noob... so would appreciate any help!
TIA

Ten Pin · 08-09-2020 6:16pm

VF probably blocking tethering.

Does data work with SIM in a phone?
Does hotspot/tethering work with SIM in phone?

The usual fix for a phone is to delete any other APN except for....

live.vodafone.com

...but that normally doesn't affect routers as VF normally only have access to phone APN settings. Router settings are normally not modifiable. VF may be using some other setting to block tethering.

First thing to do is configure the router APN as listed above (delete any other APNs) and see if internet connection is available then.

If you are only using this in a router then Vodafone X is a better deal with unlimited data albeit capped at 10Mbps.

MidlanderMan · 08-09-2020 6:18pm

Hooked wrote: »

Hi all

I took delivery today of a Huawei B311 wifi router (amazon, UK, unlocked) with the intention of popping my Vodafone "phone" PAYG sim (smart extra contract - calls, texts and 20GB data)... For use in my campervan, streaming content to my TV.

I thought it would just be a case of popping in my SIM - but while all signals/lights are good on the "router" box... I've no internet...

I am trying (for test purposes) to access the web on my phone using the Huawei B311 (which is listed and connected) in my wifi settings.

Have I extra setup to do, changing VPN settings, etc?
Or do I need a "broadband" specific SIM / plan?

Total noob... so would appreciate any help!
TIA

Will work perfectly with a 3Pay SIM. €20 a month for unlimited data.
You might need to put the SIM into a mobile a f send a text to activate but after that you're flying.

A Law · 08-09-2020 6:21pm

You sound like you have but I think you need to disable the PIN code on the SIM. I have an eir sim in the same router. Only problem I had was the PIN.

Hooked · 08-09-2020 7:54pm

Ten Pin wrote: »

VF probably blocking tethering.

Does data work with SIM in a phone?
Does hotspot/tethering work with SIM in phone?

The usual fix for a phone is to delete any other APN except for....

...but that normally doesn't affect routers as VF normally only have access to phone APN settings. Router settings are normally not modifiable. VF may be using some other setting to block tethering.

First thing to do is configure the router APN as listed above (delete any other APNs) and see if internet connection is available then.

If you are only using this in a router then Vodafone X is a better deal with unlimited data albeit capped at 10Mbps.

APN changed to above and ‘it appears’ to have done the trick!

Many thanks for all the replies...

Purple Mountain · 08-09-2020 9:05pm

How will you know when to top it up

Thargor · 08-09-2020 9:27pm

Why not go GOMO? 80GB for €12.99. Definitely works in routers aswell, I swapped my parents over to the same setup.

Purple Mountain · 08-09-2020 11:20pm

Why would they go for 80gb when they can have unlimited?

Hooked · 09-09-2020 7:24am

Purple Mountain wrote: »

How will you know when to top it up

My Vodafone app keeps track of the data. So does the ‘hilink’ App for the router. I’ll only be using it the odd time in the van

At the min... I’ve 14gb rolled over PLUS my usual 20GB. It’s never used ‘on my phone’ as I’ve wifi at home and in work

Hooked · 09-09-2020 7:24am

Thargor wrote: »

Why not go GOMO? 80GB for €12.99. Definitely works in routers aswell, I swapped my parents over to the same setup.

Must check this out - thanks

Hooked · 09-09-2020 7:26am

Purple Mountain wrote: »

Why would they go for 80gb when they can have unlimited?

I really don’t want another ‘contract’ as it’ll be for use in my van, every now and then.

My phone data will do just fine for now, as it’s not being used for anything else really

august12 · 09-09-2020 7:30am

Hooked wrote: »

Must check this out - thanks

Or 48 for 7.99,

Thargor · 09-09-2020 1:51pm

Purple Mountain wrote: »

Why would they go for 80gb when they can have unlimited?

The OP is talking about his 20GB allowance.

raxy · 12-09-2020 12:13am

I'm on Vodafone X but tried using my SIM in a 4g router but I'm getting no internet connection. Anyone know if they don't allow it with Vodafone X?
I used my phone to tether before & was charged but after talking to Vodafone they told me to use the APN posted in this thread but in the router it's not working.
I've been using my mobile as a hotspot without iisues before.

Thargor · 12-09-2020 9:29am

Is there any PIN on the sim? Any security like that will stop the router working.

Tbh it's not a case of them allowing it or not, I seriously doubt that a SIM card can tell its in a router instead of a modern phone.

TeePeeLink · 13-11-2021 2:20am

Is it possible to just "jailbreak" root a company voda/virgin Huawei broadband line in Router to take an LTE sim?

or is this type of home line in box -a broadband use only wired router and not able to insert any sim inside these devices as a mobile router?

TeePeeLink · 14-11-2021 4:16am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118159294#Comment_118159294

no answer. so i guessing now anyway from what i read, there is ways to unlock some Huawei company locked routers but others you cant.

and it seems they are a different thing to LTE data routers, so regular home wired broadband units cannot be used with a PAYG sim inserted, i need a LTE unlocked mobile router? like the ones mentioned on "midband" forum.

EarWig · 07-05-2022 11:37am

If you're streaming content to your TV then will 20GB really be enough?

Even with just occasional use you could go through that amount quickly.

sweetie · 27-06-2022 10:29am

Looking to save the auld lad a few quid and getting rid of home phone and broadband and wanted to setup something like this.

He only uses it for reading the paper and the odd website so not worried about data allowance, thinking of going with 48 as I tested my own sim

there over the weekend and was getting nearly 80mb on Ookla. Is the Huawei B311 still the best option? TIA

Morby · 11-07-2022 5:38pm

I've just gotten a Vodafone SIM to use in an unlocked Huawei B525 however it's not working.

I see that others have had this issue also.

What are the APN settings to use to get the Vodafone SIM working and do I input these on the router? Also, can I do it without a laptop?

Thanks!

TeePeeLink · 09-08-2022 3:08pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119322701#Comment_119322701

same predicament here,

bought a VMedia sim, should that work for LTE routers?

my laptop has no Ethernet cable in to change router settings either

Jjjjjjjjbarry · 08-09-2022 7:59am

I tried an eir mobile sim in an eir 4G/5G ready router and didn’t get it working. I wanted to see if their 5G would work any better as their mobile plans have 5G, where signal is available. (My eir home broadband plan is only 4g and more expensive than their payg as it offers unlimited data for 20 euro top up)

Anyway, it wouldn’t work for me. Called them up and they told me something about phone sim plans only working on phones? Was this bs so?

Hooked · 13-09-2022 1:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119588087#Comment_119588087

Bought a VirginMedia "Phone SIM" to use in my Huawei B311 4G Router (which I had bought to use in my camper) last Nov. when we moved to the sticks... By PURE LUCK there was a new mast nearby!

Did some reconfiguring on the app (on the HUAWEI HiLink app) - and been a dream ever since. Tenner a month (Black Friday deal) - win win. No massive braodband or TV bills...

ConCoBar · 06-12-2022 11:23pm

Hooked what setting did you reconfigure?

Hooked · 09-12-2022 5:55pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119965669#Comment_119965669

Set up was last year - will log in to my HiLink app and see when I'm home later... as got another 10 euro VM sim today to use

Using my "mobile" SIM in a 4G router

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