Huawei Smart Hub?

[JEM]

Would anyone know if the Huawei B890 Smart Hub would work on PM?  I don't have the IMEI # as the hub is at another location to enter into the start page to see.

[JEM]

I looked into Start.ca but it's not serving Alberta and definately not the smaller town where the cottage is.  Still thinking.. maybe the PM data only plan.  The 5 mb speed that I have out there is not cellular, it's internet and through telus via phone line but yes, high speed.. if you can call it that.  They said you can't get a higher speed from them.  I don't think there are any other providers out there so they have a "captive audience" unfortunately!  For that 5 mb speed I pay $55 per month.. not really a great deal for sure!

[Luddite]

@JEM Thought about your challenge overnight and had the following thoughts. It's rather long winded so feel free to abandon it.

First, start.ca and its ilk use either a phone landline or cable tv for connection. If you have neither, that's over. I converted when I got fed up with trying to get by on 5 GB/month with my cell phone.

Then your issue with speed being only 5 Mbs is, I suspect, related to cell phone tower locations. Where I live in Mississauga speed is often 5 - 8 Mbs because I'm just outside the range for LTE but only 100 yards down the road is strong LTE. Because Bell, Telus and PM use the same towers you would need to try Rogers (or some local privider) to see if it's better. I think it very unlikely Telus is throttling your speed.

If you are limited to this sort of speed, be aware that all your devices connecting to the hub (or phone hotspot) are sharing that limited connection.

Now as far as plans go, if you are willing to forego receiving picture messages you could go data only for everything as outlined here: $90 90 day replacement Then you would toggle between 3, 6 and 12 GB 90 day plans ($84 & $150) as you foresee the next 90 days. The beauty of this arrangement is that you need only 1 sim card, 1 account, and you can start a "new" plan if you are running short of data. Plus you keep your current phone number if you ever wish to revert to a "normal" plan.

Good luck.

[JEM]

Thanks for those ideas.. and since you say the hotspot seems ok, I may try that along with a telus plan on the hub.  I haven't heard of start.ca but I'll check on that.  I'm not that remote, just one and half hrs NE of Edm. in small town.  At least it's high speed internet out there. 

I think the internet service out there is only with telus and speed is restrictive for internet at 5 mbps but I'm going to do some detective work here and see if anything has changed.

Appreciate the ideas!

[Luddite]

Sadly (for PM that is) then the best deal for 5 GB/month seems Telus @ $45 especially since it will work either in your phone or the hub.  I used my iPhone as home hotspot for 2 years and don't recall speed being an issue. With your PM plan backing up Telus you'd have access to 7 GB/month. 

Really tough to find remote coverage with lots of data. There is one potential advantage with PM data plans in that its for 90 days but you could use it all in less time if needed.

Have you checked whether someone like start.ca has DSL service in your cottage area, or or you quite remote?

Good luck.

[JEM]

The Galaxy phone works fine out at the cottage but I use my laptop to connect to the big screen tv via hdmi cable.  If I use the Galaxy as a hotspot, I doubt I'd have enough data as I'll be watching netflix, etc. and I'm wondering if a hotspot may be too choppy in streaming to watch movies.

I currently am on the new plan of 6 gig over 3 mos. with PM and notice that buying additional data over that is pretty pricey ($30 per gig I believe).  I probably need about another 2 gig per month for the Huawei hub.. but don't need the calling or the texting on the plan.

[Luddite]

Try the Galaxy at the cottage. If you need to connect other devices use it in hotspot mode?

What are trying to set up at your cottage? How much data/month?

What plan do you have on the Galaxy?

[makkahn28]

Only unlock if your needing to use OUTSIDE Canada, as PM for now has NO Roaming, but hoping will occur

[JEM]

Yes, it is.. locked without a contract.  Just not in use at the moment and would like a better option for a second location.  Any ideas?

[JEM]

Yes, it's currently locked with Telus.. but I paid out the contract a few months ago.  Was wondering if I should unlock it...?  I have another house out in the country that I only visit odd wknds so I need some internet out there and currently just pay telus internet monthly for standard internet out there but it's such a waste of $$ .. would much prefer to be able to transport my internet via hub and pay for what I use.  I have my Samsung Galaxy on here.  Wonder if there's any deals for 2 units.. or data share...just looking for a better option.

[makkahn28]

If its locked to Telus, 110% Guaranteed to work on PM

[THEAVS]

I believe it should, is it currently with Telus?