Hi all,
Need some recommendations for a mobile phone for hot spotting 24/7 to be used with a Telstra Sim. The cheapest I could find is the Telstra Essential
Smart 2 for $39 but I am not sure how good will be it's signal strength or if the processor will cope. Happy to buy second hand but nothing seems to be available for around the $50 mark.
The Telstra Sim is a normal mobile Sim not a data sim. I just don't want to get in trouble for using it in a non mobile device.
A normal mobile sim in a mobile broadband modem will still work, you just won't be able to use voice/data portion since the most modem doesn't have the functionality.
Similarly, you can use a mobile broadband sim on a mobile device, you just won't be able to make call and texts because you won't have the balance with the mobile broadband plans.
Some plans specify they can only be used in a mobile device and will cancel your plan if they detect otherwise (they can see what device your using from the IMEI)
I have some older optus usb modems I'll send you if you want don't think the bigger one is locked or if so 5 bucks online to unlock
I've got a Huawei E3372 USB LTE Modem that I can send you. I think it's locked to the Optus network and is around $5 to unlock if using with Telstra or Vodafone.
Send me a PM if you're interested.
I use a Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 (Cat6 300/50 Mbps) like this. But it doesn't have Band 28. Better to look for a used phone with 4.5G
Ended up getting the Huawei Y5 2019 for $60. Works like a charm.
Why not get a Mobile Broadband Modem if you're just hotspotting 24/7?
You can usually find 2nd hand one cheap on Gumtree, Marketplace, etc.