TheTP-Link supports all three UK 4G LTE bands, with up to 150Mbps download speeds and 50Mbps uploads. It can create a wireless network for up to 10 devices, and supports a microSD card for shared storage and has an LCD that tells you the signal strength, how many devices are connected, how much data you have used of your total limit, plus the remaining battery capacity.
You can also use the LCD to cycle through a menu that caters to such options as toggling on or off data roaming, switching between 2.4- and 5GHz output, and choosing between 4G, 3G or a mixture of both.
A final option displays a QR code that takes you directly to Google Play or the App Store to download the tpMiFi app, which lets you manage users, alter the range, share files and read text messages.
Should you want to access more settings you can use the free mobile app or connect to the router via its login page on a browser, but otherwise the TP-Link keeps things simple for those who just want to turn it on and get online.
The 3000mAh battery should give you an impressive 15 hours of working battery time. You even get a microSD slot, which supports cards up to 32GB and can be used as a quick way to share files between devices.
Daily charges are calculated based on where you are going and for how long. At first glance they might seem steep, but they are nothing compared to what your mobile operator will charge you once you overstep your data allowance. It can also be very expensive to connect to Wi-Fi provided by some holiday resorts, which is often slow and time-limited.
The data is technically unlimited, but once you exceed the fair usage (1GB/day in Europe, US and Canada; 2GB in Mexico; fully unlimited in South East Asia; and 512MB everywhere else) the speed drops to an almost unusable 256kbps.
MyWebspot claims download speeds up to 100Mbps, and uploads of up to 40Mbps. In our testing in Lake Garda, Italy, we recorded an average download speed of 33.5Mbps, and upload speed of 26.8Mbps. Naturally these speeds will decrease as you add multiple devices.
You can connect Wi-Fi-only devices to a mobile data connection: Tablets are great to use at home, but what about on the train, on the beach or by the pool? Wherever you can get a phone signal, you can use MiFi to create a wireless network and get online from any Wi-Fi device.
You can avoid using slow hotel Wi-Fi: When visiting hotels that still charge for Wi-Fi, you can get the kids online all day and at a lower cost than what the hotel would charge. Better still, you can avoid using the same network as all the other guests, which is usually slow and often has poor signal in your hotel room. Sometimes these networks can also be unsecured, so using MiFi will be preferable.
You can add 5G connectivity to a 4G device: Many of us have yet to jump on the 5G bandwagon, but where available it is seriously fast. Although your phone may be limited to 4G, your data plan almost certainly includes 5G. A 5G mobile router will allow you to connect your 4G phone to the internet at 5G speeds.
You can get faster download speeds: Even if your device already supports 5G, you could potentially get faster download and upload speeds by switching to a MiFi that supports a faster connection. Just remember that 5G is not yet available everywhere, and purchasing a 5G hotspot will push up the price.
If you buy a MiFi router from a mobile operator it will probably be locked to that network, preventing you from shopping around for the best data deal. You will also most likely pay over the odds if you choose to pay nothing up front but tie yourself into a two-year contract.
Note that the mobile hotspots offered by UK mobile operators are typically made by Huawei, but also Netgear, HTC and TP-Link. If you know the model you can usually find these devices available network-unlocked through retailers such as Amazon.
If you want something only for when you go on holiday, choose a PAYG plan and pay for data only when you need it. If you want something to get around a flaky home broadband connection or for use on your daily commute, choose either a rolling one-month contract option or save a bit of money with a 12- or 24-month plan.
There are many more companies offering data SIMs than we have listed here, but all are what are known as MVNOs, or mobile virtual network operators. This means they piggyback on another mobile network (Vodafone, EE, O2 or Three) for connectivity. As long as you have coverage with the big four, all the MVNOs should be covered in your area.
Marie is Editorial Director at Foundry. A Journalism graduate from the London College of Printing, she's worked in tech media for almost 20 years, covering all types of consumer tech from smartphones and their accessories to smart home gear. These days she manages our international editorial teams and leads on content strategy, having witnessed first-hand Foundry's transition from print, to digital, to online - and beyond.
You also have the option of Portugalinternet, which is basically a company that sends you a mobile router with a SIM Card with (in theory) unlimited internet data. Elisa from Remoters tried it and shared her experience here (also in Spanish)
Hello, everyone!My idea is to stay as low as 6 months and as long as a year (maybe, who knows) over Lisbon after doing some analysis from many cities in Europe.I'm an Argentinian and Chilean (both nationalities) so... no Euro-pass for me (getting my Italian nationality could take 2 years easily). I'm also a remote worker and I have a really good income (I work for a Silicon Valley company) so I can show more than enough resources to stay in the country.Everything I see online doesn't inspire me much confidence (most sites looks a bit scammy) and this is not a "vacation stay"... I want to be clear my head far away from Argentina right now. If someone has a good website, recommendations, etc I will super appreciate.Thanks in advance!","topic_slug":"where-do-i-get-good-legal-advice-support-to-have-a-long-term-stay-in-portugal","country_slug":"portugal","view_count":null,"reply_count":null,"epoch_closed":null,"approved":null,"deleted_by":null,"url":"\/where-do-i-get-good-legal-advice-support-to-have-a-long-term-stay-in-portugal\/129536"}; ?3? Where do I get good legal advice/support to have a long-term stay in Portugal?
inLisbon , Portugal by @mzorrilla4yr 4 years ago 4 commentsHello, everyone!
I'm an Argentinian and Chilean (both nationalities) so... no Euro-pass for me (getting my Italian nationality could take 2 years easily). I'm also a remote worker and I have a really good income (I work for a Silicon Valley company) so I can show more than enough resources to stay in the country.
Everything I see online doesn't inspire me much confidence (most sites looks a bit scammy) and this is not a "vacation stay"... I want to be clear my head far away from Argentina right now. If someone has a good website, recommendations, etc I will super appreciate.
I'm preparing my Portuguese D7 long-term visa application and one of the required documents is proof of travel insurance with medical coverage. However, as an Australian citizen, if put that as my country of residence in many travel insurance companies' quick quote forms, I'm unable to get ANY insurance coverage at all because of the current travel ban out of Australia, and the Australian govt's 'Do Not Travel' advice to ALL countries. I know that Aussies are applying for, and successfully getting visas from the Portuguese Consulate here, so where and how are they fulfilling this insurance requirement if insurers aren't selling any coverage? Does anybody know or have any ideas?","topic_slug":"how-do-i-get-travel-medical-insurance-for-portugal-for-visa-application-from-australia","country_slug":"portugal","view_count":null,"reply_count":null,"epoch_closed":null,"approved":null,"deleted_by":null,"url":"\/how-do-i-get-travel-medical-insurance-for-portugal-for-visa-application-from-australia\/129603"}; ?0? How do I get Travel/Medical Insurance for Portugal for visa application from Australia?
inPortugal by @jonathanpoh4yr 4 years ago 5 commentsI'm preparing my Portuguese D7 long-term visa application and one of the required documents is proof of travel insurance with medical coverage. However, as an Australian citizen, if put that as my country of residence in many travel insurance companies' quick quote forms, I'm unable to get ANY insurance coverage at all because of the current travel ban out of Australia, and the Australian govt's 'Do Not Travel' advice to ALL countries. I know that Aussies are applying for, and successfully getting visas from the Portuguese Consulate here, so where and how are they fulfilling this insurance requirement if insurers aren't selling any coverage? Does anybody know or have any ideas?
I'm in need of a tax advisor who understands "our" typical situation. I'm all good on being legal on taxes at this point, but as I'm doing more investing and there's more compliance and KYC and such, it's getting more complicated to deal with this topic. Not living in my country of citizenship, company in another country, resident in yet another country, banking in a different country ... you know how it is, a pile of red flags.Would be great to find a good tax advisor to sort things in a way that makes my situation as "explainable" and easily dealt with as possible. Any leads?","topic_slug":"tax-advisor-for-permanent-nomads","country_slug":null,"view_count":null,"reply_count":null,"epoch_closed":null,"approved":null,"deleted_by":null,"url":"\/tax-advisor-for-permanent-nomads\/129596"}; ?1?Tax advisor for permanent nomads?
by @eljaques4yr 4 years ago 1 commentI'm in need of a tax advisor who understands "our" typical situation. I'm all good on being legal on taxes at this point, but as I'm doing more investing and there's more compliance and KYC and such, it's getting more complicated to deal with this topic. Not living in my country of citizenship, company in another country, resident in yet another country, banking in a different country ... you know how it is, a pile of red flags.
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