Looking for an unlimited data SIM - must be paid up front

Stargazer99

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I run a project part of which involves providing broadband for refugee families. Until recently we've been buying a 3 month unlimited data SIM from Three for £90 for a wifi hub, which a number of families share. However, Three have stopped the deal and we can't find anything else like this. We've tried other one month SIM offers to get them started but these either seem not to work or never arrive when ordered. What we need is:
  • An unlimited data SIM that can be ordered in quantities online that works in a wifi hub (some pay as you go SIMs don't). We would prefer one that works for at least three months.
  • The SIM must support multiple device tethering.
  • We can only buy the SIM upfront as a gift and don't have the infrastructure to make topups.
Considering that the networks are charging a premium for this and get their money up front they seem remarkably unwilling to offer such a deal. Does anyone out there have any recommendations?
 
I run a project part of which involves providing broadband for refugee families. Until recently we've been buying a 3 month unlimited data SIM from Three for £90 for a wifi hub, which a number of families share. However, Three have stopped the deal and we can't find anything else like this. We've tried other one month SIM offers to get them started but these either seem not to work or never arrive when ordered. What we need is:
  • An unlimited data SIM that can be ordered in quantities online that works in a wifi hub (some pay as you go SIMs don't). We would prefer one that works for at least three months.
  • The SIM must support multiple device tethering.
  • We can only buy the SIM upfront as a gift and don't have the infrastructure to make topups.
Considering that the networks are charging a premium for this and get their money up front they seem remarkably unwilling to offer such a deal. Does anyone out there have any recommendations?
I think you're going to struggle to get an unlimited option. I think the only option is to go with 3's unlimited data only sim, and from time to time these are on offer and at present its half price for 6 months and have provided a link, if you haven't already looked at this deal Pay Monthly SIM Plans - Unlimited Data SIM | Three
 
Smarty (uses Three network) do an unlimited sim deal for £20 a month PAYG...just set up a Direct Debit and you're off
 
Smarty (uses Three network) do an unlimited sim deal for £20 a month PAYG
Would it not be best to go direct with 3,as they offer same price but half price for 6 months? Assuming its the same unlimited data plan. Oh smarty one is payg which might be the main difference.
 
Contact 3 mobile business explaining the requirements and find out what they can do for you? Worst they can say is "no, the website offers are all we can offer" ☺️
 
The main problem with Three is that they're a big operator and the 'deals' they offer really are set and non negotiable, even the business deals. They'll want a contract and you might miss a better deal 6 months on. The beauty with trying Smarty PAYG is that if it doesn't do it for you, better deal comes around, you aren't tied in.
 
Unfortunately none of the suggestions would work for us as the requirement is strictly for a one-off 'gift' that we pay up front for. Installation and setup are done by a third party. I work for a small local charity - all we have is a credit card and don't have the infrastructure to enter into any ongoing contracts or make top-ups for someone else. So the only way we can make this offer is to order a SIM with pre-paid mobile data. That's all we can do. And the networks seem to be really unreliable with their offers - as soon as we find one that works for us we find it's been pulled.

The nearest we can find at present is this one - which we've ordered but after more than 2 weeks still hasn't turned up: Amazon product ASIN B08KDY64TQ
Three does what looks like a similar offer but it's called an 'unlimited data pay as you go SIM' - but we've tried this and it doesn't work in wifi hubs. Their 'Internet with legs' SIMs do but don't go over 24GB.

Please keep the suggestions coming :)
 
The point is that we can't make top-ups. The SIM has to be bought with pre-paid data included in a single transaction and shipped out for installation. Our organisation doesn't have the infrastructure to open any pay as you go accounts or make top-ups. We also don't know when or where the SIM will be needed except that it will be used in our local area in the UK so activation has to be done by the client not us.
 
What about a three payg sim and a top up voucher, the voucher stays valid for 90 days before it has to be used, supply both together to the client, of course if it’s not activated with 90 days you’re stuffed.
 
We've already tried a Three pay as you go SIM with allegedly unlimited data for a month paid up front, but it doesn't work in the wifi hub.
 
We use a Huawei E5576 wifi hub that we buy on Amazon for about £40 (they actually come with a Smarty SIM which needs paying for to activate). We also supply a separate preloaded SIM at the same time, and sourcing this has been our problem. The logistics dictates that we can't pay separately to activate the SIM or make any topups - the package is ordered, shipped by Amazon to a third party and that's the limit of what our infrastructure will allow (we're a tiny charity). We have no idea where or when the SIM will be activated except that it will definitely be in the UK - it must be paid for and ready with data preloaded. A prepaid voucher might help but I don't think you can buy unlimited data that way.
 
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This is going to sound ridiculous but...
Send them three of those routers and when one runs out of access plug in the next and apply power.
Oh, and wait until the new router has started up then plug in the various devices with wired network connections.
Wi-Fi ones will connect automatically at the right time.

Does anyone else remember "Yes Minister"?
 

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