[Swlug] Getting SIM card slot operational

[Rhys Jones]

Yeah, I'm aware all these are possible solutions but I like the idea of
getting the SIM into the machine, configuring it once and then never having
to deal with Wi-Fi hot-spot connection or similar faff again.

I'll dive deeply into some forums and see what reputable advice. Thanks
again

Rhys

On Sun, 25 Feb 2024, 07:18 Daniel Morris via Swlug, <
swlug at mailman.lug.org.uk> wrote:

> Not sure about the SIM slot on the laptop, but another short-term
> workaround might be a hotspot.
>
> The standalone Mi-Fi type devices are portable, or you may have/be able to
> borrow an old Android handset for a month. For mains/fixed location there
> are dedicated routers, like the Huawei B535 I use. Any of these would need
> to be Three native, or unlocked. Fibre rollout will have left 4G routers
> redundant, so perhaps worth asking around?
>
>  Daniel
>
> On Sat, 24 Feb 2024, 23:07 Rhys Jones via Swlug, <swlug at mailman.lug.org.uk>
> wrote:
>
>> I did do my homework and checked that bit before posting here...
>>
>> ...I only want it for the next month, while I still have an unlimited
>> data SIM on Three. They're switching off their 3G network, yes, but only
>> from April onwards, starting in the East Midlands and the Welsh Marches.
>> https://www.three.co.uk/support/network-and-coverage/our-plans-to-switch-off-3g/3g-switch-off-map
>>
>> So I'm extremely certain indeed, barring apocalypse, that their 3G
>> network in my neck of the woods will outlast me finishing my contract with
>> them at the end of March.
>>
>> Right, that tangent's done. Anyone with any advice on actually getting
>> the thing working?
>>
>> Hwyl
>>
>> On Sat, 24 Feb 2024, 21:31 Jonathan Marsden via Swlug, <
>> swlug at mailman.lug.org.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> Rhys,
>>>
>>> You are correct.  See
>>> https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-telecoms-and-internet/advice-for-consumers/advice/3g-switch-off
>>> .  Basically 3G in the UK is disappearing in 2024 or 2025 depending on
>>> which carrier you use.
>>>
>>> Jonathan
>>> --
>>>   Jonathan Marsden
>>>   Pastor, Deer Park Baptist Church, Tenby
>>>   jmarsden at fastmail.fm
>>>
>>> On Sat, 24 Feb 2024, at 15:36, Rhys Sage via Swlug wrote:
>>> > Before getting too hung up on getting the SIM operational, check
>>> > whether the frequency used by the mobile phone system is still in use.
>>> > I don't know the origin of your computer but if it originated from
>>> > somewhere other than the EU market then it might use an incompatible
>>> > set of frequencies. For example, the 2nd generation of UK phone is on
>>> > wildly different frequencies from the 2nd generation of US phones. Not
>>> > only that but in 2013 we were still using 2G and moving into 3G. Now
>>> > we're on 4G and moving into 5G. 2G was switched off a few years ago
>>> and
>>> > 3G is probably in the process of being shut down.
>>> >
>>> > Rhys Sage
>>> > --
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>>> > Swlug at mailman.lug.org.uk
>>> > https://mailman.lug.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/swlug
>>>
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