Connecting Scotland
If your free Connecting Scotland MiFi data is coming to an end, there are a number of ways you can carry on getting free or low cost access to the internet.
Get a new SIM from Vodafone for another 6 months free internet
After your free data ends, you can get a new SIM from Vodafone that will give you 40GB of free data for 6 months. If you can, you should use your SIM in a mobile phone, as you'll get texts to tell you how much of your free data you've used. You can also use your SIM in a dongle.
After your 40GB of free data per month has ended, you can switch to a £5 per month pay as you go contract. This contract includes 7GB of data per month and unlimited texts and calls. You will need to opt in to your £5 per month contract each month to carry on using your SIM. If you do not want to use your SIM for a month, you do not need to do anything. You can opt in again at any time.
To get your free SIM, you'll need to get in touch with the company who gave you your MiFi dongle. You can also call the free Connecting Scotland helpline on 0800 0 590 690, between 10am-4pm, Monday - Friday.
How to activate your free Vodafone SIM
Your SIM will work as soon as you put it into a mobile phone, tablet or dongle. You do not need to do anything else.
If you use up your 40GB of free data
If you use up your 40GB of free data before the end of the month, you'll start to use free data from your next month's 40GB. This means that if you use a lot more than your 40GB per month, your free data will run out in less than 6 months.
If you have put your free SIM into a mobile phone, you'll get a text message each month to let you know how much of your free data you've used. If you put your SIM into your MiFi dongle, you can find out how much data you have by…
At the end of your 6 months, you'll get a text telling you how to set up your £5 per month Vodafone pay as you go contract if your SIM is in a mobile phone. If your SIM is in a MiFi dongle or tablet, you will need to [check with vodafone] how to set up your contract.
Broadband and mobile social tariffs
Broadband and mobile social tariffs are cheaper than standard broadband packages. They are a good option if you use more than 40GB of data per month.
You can get a broadband or mobile social tariff if you’re paid Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support.
Find out more about social tariffs by visiting the ofcom website.
Find a free internet connection in your area
You may be able to use a computer and get online for free somewhere close to you. Both digital inclusion hubs and public libraries can give you free access to the internet. Find out more about digital inclusion hubs from the Online Centres Network. You can find your nearest public library on mygov.scot.
Get a standard pay as you go or fixed-term contract
You can use comparison websites such as uswitch and MoneySavingExpert to find the best standard and pay as you go or fixed term deals.
Advice about broadband deals
Citizens Advice can help you choose the best broadband deal for you. Check the Citizens Advice Scotland website or contact their helpline: 0800 028 1456. You can also use their online Money Map tool. The Money Map tool has general information on reducing bills and easing the cost of living.
Who to contact if you have any questions
If you have any questions, or you're worried about the end of your free MiFi data, you can contact Connecting Scotland by phone: 0800 0 590 690, between 10am-4pm, Monday - Friday, or by email: help@connecting.scot.
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