Pocket Wi-Fi for Tethering

Armin65 on 28/02/2018 - 15:34

I am looking for a portable wifi to avoid massive mobile bills for extra data usage.
This is what I found Telstra Prepaid 4G USB + Wi-Fi on Coles Special this week, but I've got some confusions:

1) Are these locked to specific telco? Is there any way to unlock them after the first month?
2) I am a sim slut; so I was thinking of having a pay-as-you-go mobile sim on my handset & buy one of these pocket wifi's for tethering. Is that a right choice?
3) How long the battery survives? Any other review on this?
4) Can I use both data-sim and mobile sim on these devices?
5) Do you recommend this over Vodafone Pocket WiFi® 4G (which is also on sale this week in the same catalogue)?

Apologies, too many questions ;)

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • pao2x on 28/02/2018 - 15:42
    +1

    1) Yes its locked to Telstra, you would have to pay to unlock either Telstra or some fleabay unlocker or so
    2) Very good idea and a lot of people do it. A lot of people buy dual sim phones just to avoid carrying extra devices
    3) 5hrs ish was my last pocket wifi on constant use. If you are thinking of having it ready and giving wifi all day you may need a battery pack
    4) Yes and Yes
    5) Any will do. Vodafone data is totally cheaper though. One way to circumvent "Telstra premium" charges is to buy from a Telstra reseller

    • Armin65 on 28/02/2018 - 16:20

      Thanks for detailed response :)

      2) Does this scenario work on dual sim mobiles? I mean having 1 sim active to receive calls (through main mobile number); whilst at the same time, have the other (cheap starter pack) sim to make unlimited calls and use data? If that works, that would be great cuz the chance of losing main mobile number through several porting in-out would be nothing!

      • pao2x on 28/02/2018 - 20:03
        +1

        it should work just make sure you get a capable phone

        • [Deactivated] on 28/02/2018 - 20:54
          +1

          Motorola G5 Plus is excellent for this. I use the second SIM for cheap data and calls when I don't want to use my main number on SIM 1. And I tether devices to it if the broadband goes down at home.

  • mysterytal on 28/02/2018 - 15:45
    +2

    Yes locked to Telstra. I very recently unlocked it by buying a code on Ebay for $2.40.

    Battery lasts about 10 hours on the Pocket Wi-Fi.

    HTH.

  • mskeggs on 28/02/2018 - 15:46
    +1

    I have a pocket wi-fi 4gx that was Telstra locked.
    1) I don't know it that model can be unlocked. My pocket one was unlocked for a few dollars from the ebay unlock people.
    2) I think battery life will be inadequate to do this well, and the size and weight (equal to half another phone) makes it impractical. I use mine to tether a computer to spare my handset data and battery.
    3)The white telstra device you linked does not have a battery, and gets power from usb. It would work in a powerbank.
    4) I don't see why not.
    5) The Voda model has a battery that lasts several hours. That is its key difference.

  • hal9000 on 01/03/2018 - 18:52

    you can unlock it for free if you know how

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