Hi everyone,

I’m in a bit of a unique and challenging situation regarding internet access and would really appreciate some insights from this community.

I live in an area with limited internet options – no fiber and subpar 5G connectivity. The only available wired internet is via an outdated telephone line, offering a mere 2mb download speed, which is far from sufficient for my needs. My job involves sending and downloading large files regularly, often exceeding 100GB, so a fast and reliable internet connection is crucial.

Currently, I’m using T-Mobile’s Mobile Unlimited plan on my phone, which gives me about 50mb download speed. It is called „L Nielimitowana” (I’m from Poland). It’s manageable but not ideal, especially since I need to keep my phone constantly connected to my PC. This setup is far from ideal for my work.

I approached T-Mobile about a 5G router plan, but they informed me that they don’t offer 5G router plans in areas with suboptimal connections to avoid providing unsatisfactory service. However, they did propose an alternative: getting a second SIM card with unlimited 5G internet at half the price of my current plan. But here’s the catch – the representative and the contract clearly state that this SIM card will not work in a mobile router, only in phones.

This brings me to my main questions for you knowledgeable folks:

Is it true that T-Mobile (or other carriers) can distinguish if a SIM card is being used in a router instead of a phone? If so, how do they do it?

Are there any workarounds or specific types of routers that might bypass this limitation?

Having a router with this type of internet would be a game-changer for me, so any advice, insights, or experiences you can share would be immensely helpful.
Thanks in advance!

  • Better_Original_3220OPB
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 year ago

    Hi there,

    First off, a big thank you for taking the time to share such a detailed solution! I really appreciate it!

    I should clarify a bit more about what I’m looking for, though. My ideal setup is to use a second SIM card directly in a router, without involving my phone at all. This way, I can keep my phone free for regular use and mobility while a separate router manages my home internet needs.

    Given your knowledge on the topic, do you think it’s possible to set up something like this, especially with the carrier’s restrictions? I’m curious if there’s a specific type of router that could work around these limitations?