topic Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited? in Archived Posts

Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

camy252 — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 09:46:26 GMT

Due an upgrade to my 4GEE home internet deal and wondering if the unlimited sims (designed for phones) are still data and device limited if you put them in a router?

Had my contract for a year now and I've started streaming 4k more, downloading more game updates and Warzone needs its on data deal in itself for those updates! I'm starting to creep a bit closer to my 500gb limit.

I was put off buying a sim only deal by EE advisors who told me at the time I'd be capped at 100gb because the sim would think I'm tethering when its put into a router and I would also only be able to connect 11 devices to it even though my router is capable of up to 64.

Its tough paying £50 for 500GB when people are out there paying £35 for unlimited! So I'm asking/wondering if things have changed and it might now be feasible to go for one of the unlimited cards when I'm due an upgrade.

Unfortunately I can't test and see because it might take more than 14 days to reach 100GB at which point I would know if i'm capped or not. Also, I now have way more than 11 devices on my network so I would definitely need this cap lifted before I'd consider it. (unless thats EE's way of stopping people putting phone sims into routers, by capping the devices?)

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

XRaySpeX — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:12:06 GMT

Unlimited SIMs are no more or less limited in mobile routers than in mobile phones.

There is a FUP of 600GB data per month & up to 11 devices regularly connected at the same time.

The 100GB limit you mentioned is not against tethering or other devices behind your router using the data from the SIM. It only applies to gifting data from that SIM to other mobile nos. on your a/c.

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

camy252 — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:55:14 GMT

Thanks for confirming this for me. Shame the FUP is now at 600gb not 1000gb. Not much of an upgrade from my 500gb. And shame about 11 devices being the limit as these days its sitting well over that for me (smart home devices, APs etc). Hopefully this will change soon as most people now have all these smart devices around the home. I'll stick with my 4GEE sims until this changes then. Cheers

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

XRaySpeX — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:58:00 GMT

Thanks! You're welcome 🙂 ! Glad I could be of assistance & it is now sorted.

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

camy252 — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 11:53:31 GMT

Not quite fully sorted as i'm still super jealous of the people paying half what I pay and getting more data. But I appreciate you confirming my queries.

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

EssexBoyEE — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 12:17:41 GMT

As far as I m aware the 11 Devices are considered as Internet Usage Devices rather than what is connected to your Network.

The 600gb FUP is just that it's a Policy not a Data Cap, I would imagine you would need to exceed this on a regular basis before EE decided to take action.

This FUP has been discussed on here many times but I can't recall anyone actually posting on here that they have just had the wrists slapped by EE for exceeding the FUP.

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

XRaySpeX — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 12:20:59 GMT

Here I meant your enquiry has been sorted. That's what this Community is here for. We don't & can't fix issues in EE systems.

@EssexBoyEE : Yes, the devices have be pulling/pushing data from the Net regularly to count in the 11.

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

camy252 — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 12:56:52 GMT

Just wouldnt be worth the risk as its difficult to tell when certain devices are gonna pull data. Especially Alexas, Unifi APs, smart plugs and phones which will all sporadically use data. No telling what would actually happen when you reach that 11 device limit (unifi ap stop working and then scupper all the downstream devices or Alexa's disconnecting etc).

To help with context, I have: 3x Echos, 2x smart plugs, 2x Unifi NanoHDs, 2x people using work laptops, PC, PS4, 2x smart TVs, Firestick, robotic vaccum cleaner, tablet, 2x phones, 1x wifi baby monitor. So given that, theres no way I would risk the 11 device restriction that may or may not kick in when it thinks I've reached the limit.

Now, thats quite a lot of devices for a 2 person home but I do love my tech stuff, but even so, an average couple or family home wouldnt be far off that number and I suspect they still be over the 11 device limit. So i'm surprised more people havent ran into issues. I suspect its designed to stop people using these sims for home internet but it would be nice if EE just said that.

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

EssexBoyEE — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 13:17:58 GMT

Well it's nice to see your fully prepared for when the Internet goes Bang, must admit I've never thought about sharing a Fallout Shelter with a Robotic vaccum cleaner 🤔😁

I believer the FUP on the Unlimited Sims are to distract folk from using them in a Multi User Business environment as this is referred to in the FUP wording, reserve the right to move you to a Business Tarriff, anyway it's your call and good luck with it all. 👍

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

XRaySpeX — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 13:41:37 GMT

@camy252 wrote:

I suspect its designed to stop people using these sims for home internet but it would be nice if EE just said that.

It wouldn't & they can't cuz that would break Net Neutrality rules. You are free to put any SIM in any device of your choosing.

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

mikeliuk — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 13:54:13 GMT

Hi @camy252 ,

As long as you are using NAT on the router and the service provider is not carefully inspecting your traffic, there will only appear to be a single device on the service provider's network and it is highly unlikely that all your devices will be simultaneously passing data.

If GBP 50 was your original cost when you needed to pay for the device, it may be worth looking for a cheaper SIM-only contract when/if you become the owner of the router, otherwise you may be paying for the router multiple times over.

I've never heard of anyone either being warned or disconnected for tethering too many devices, and I agree that it's to catch data-using/hogging devices and not devices with trickle usage. I suspect most of the devices you have named will use a negligible amount of data that the service provider will not care about and would be fully willing to ignore. Good luck!

Here is a good summary of service providers who do not permit their SIMs to be used in 4G routers: https://kenstechtips.com/index.php/unlimited-data

Here is a good discussion of SIMs in other devices such as tablets and routers: https://kenstechtips.com/index.php/sim-cards-for-your-tablet-dongle-router-or-iot-device

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

camy252 — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 14:11:36 GMT

Thanks folks, certainly helps to have all this input. I just don't think I could take that leap of faith that it would all work and I wouldnt lose connectivity around the house. I'd be blaming the wifi signal/freq, then blaming my router then start to wonder if its my sim being capped. And by the time I tested it all, i would likely be past the 14 day return period and be stuck with a contract thats not suitable.

Yeah, I'm sure I'm paying for a router I don't even use but they didnt offer a 4GEE home internet sim without the router at the time so just had to take the hit. By the time my contract ends, I'm hoping 4GEE sim only deal will be available.

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

EssexBoyEE — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 14:40:56 GMT

@camy252 wrote - Yeah, I'm sure I'm paying for a router I don't even use but they didnt offer a 4GEE home internet sim without the router at the time so just had to take the hit. By the time my contract ends, I'm hoping 4GEE sim only deal will be available

They are available, always have been, EE Data Sims, look under the Tablets and Dongles section in the Shop, same stuff as the MiFi Device Sims, Data Sims without the Voice Option, I believe you get 100 texts thrown in. But generically always more expensive than the Phone Sim plans with Voice and Texts and Data.

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

XRaySpeX — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 14:49:13 GMT

Unlimited Tablet or dongle contract SIMs are available now from EE.

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

camy252 — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 14:59:40 GMT

Thanks guys, and these are suitable for routers and don't have the device limit?

Re: Unlimited sim in a 4GEE router - Still data and device limited?

camy252 — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 15:03:24 GMT

arg...never mind. Just read the small print. Says only up to 10 device on those sims. I'll stay away from those. Thanks anyways.