Vodaphone Free Data for Schools

[TMBS]

Not sure if you've seen:

 

https://www.vodafone.co.uk/mobile/pay-as-you-go-plans/schools-connected

 

Vodafone are offering free data SIMS for schools.

 

Can anyone recommend a good, reasonably cheap dongle?

 

Thanks!

[hallb15]

I don't know if it's any good but you prob won't get much cheaper... https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B078GXZJHP/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A26T7BS9YHZ6DL&psc=1

[Norphy]

Having a quick look at Amazon, the dongles seem to be the same price as hotspots.

 

I miss Expansys, they were good for this sort of thing.

[TMBS]

I don't know if it's any good but you prob won't get much cheaper... https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B078GXZJHP/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A26T7BS9YHZ6DL&psc=1

 

Thanks! That's a a good price! Just found out we have some in school from the DFE that I knew nothing about. Does anyone else get frustrated by IT devices just appearing? You're generally only informed when they go wrong

[knightrider]

Does anyone know if the DFE ones are locked? I've got some from the first lockdown and the sim is not active anymore. I'm wanting to put new SIMS in them and then reuse the dongle instead of buying new. Got over 200 so it would say quite a bit of cash.

[DavidYoung]

I don't know if it's any good but you prob won't get much cheaper... https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B078GXZJHP/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A26T7BS9YHZ6DL&psc=1

 

This doesn't have a 4G modem in. It is a portable router (I have one, they are good) which you can plug a USB dongle into to make a 4G hotspot (among other things like sharing a single guest WiFi session with multiple devices which is what I purchased it for).

[LeMarchand]

This seems to have reasonable reviews: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ZTE-MF920U-Travel-Hotspot-SMARTY/dp/B08CZYM51X and (I think) should do the do.

 

Some cheaper ones, but not as well reviewed.

[hallb15]

This doesn't have a 4G modem in. It is a portable router (I have one, they are good) which you can plug a USB dongle into to make a 4G hotspot (among other things like sharing a single guest WiFi session with multiple devices which is what I purchased it for).

 

That's why it's so cheap!

[synaesthesia]

Anyone else slightly concerned about the company they're using to do this? GK Telecom in Slough with a less than shiny history and doesn't look particularly solvent.

[Alis_Klar]

We bought some TP-link M7200 from SoftCat. https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-M7200-Portable-Unlocked-management/dp/B0797VW7FG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=tp-link+m7200&qid=1606983699&s=computers&sr=1-1

 

Does anyone know if the Free Vodafone School SIM is filtered at all?

[synaesthesia]

We bought some TP-link M7200 from SoftCat. https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-M7200-Portable-Unlocked-management/dp/B0797VW7FG/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=tp-link+m7200&qid=1606983699&s=computers&sr=1-1

 

Does anyone know if the Free Vodafone School SIM is filtered at all?

 

No, they're straight through full data SIMS.

[Incisive12]

Hi @Alis_Klar,

 

We have a school with 50 SIM cards who need decent Dongles. I see mixed reviews for the M7200 you mentioned - would you say they are stable and sufficient for home use after using them?

 

Thanks

[MatthewL]

Might be a worth a look at this one or others here. Might be able to get better prices if bulk buying.

 

I've used my Huawei one from EE for years with no issues, odd time it doesn't connect but think its down to been battered around the car but when I was working in the field I used mine 60% of the week rather than tethering and killing my mobile. Never had major issues that a quick restart cannot fix with any of them.

[Incisive12]

Thanks - @MatthewL - I think the problem is that there are so many online which are worth a look but would be good to know what has been tried and tested in the field. The worst thing, for around 10 valid reasons, is a parent at home with IT issues with something like this. With 50 to rollout, I am trying to avoid as many issues as possible with the actual hardware.

[MatthewL]

I've used various ones with next to no issues, only recommendation if rolling multiple ones out, create the SSID and password the same if needed then you can deploy 1 setting to the device, protect with a password then they cannot change and use your data up if that makes sense.

[pablo007]

I spoke to vodafone you can buy their dongles for £25 on PAYG but even with the PAYG option you have to spend another £25 initial data to get the dongle. So I have all these data cards that children cannot use, unless they have their devices unlocked and swap their sim cards over to the DFE issued vodafone ones or buy a dongle at a minimum £50.

 

I have been able to trial one card for its filtering, in summary;

It seems that chat sites mostly allowed

Social Media is allowed

Adult websites seem to be blocked

Access to all Google services is OK

Gambling sites are allowed

Online shopping is allowed.