Tried out UQ mobile with the iPhone 7. It was Faster than Y mobile

uq mobile with iphone 7

You can try out UQ mobile for 15 days, free. So I tested it on my iPhone 7

I used to use the iPhone SE (Hong Kong version) and I currently use the iPhone 7 (US version unlocked A1660) with Y mobile.
I had used docomo prior to switching over to Y mobile but I am pretty satisfied with Y mobile’s internet speed.

 

The only issue I have with Y mobile is that you can’t tether with unlocked iPhones

I signed up for the SIM card plan with Y mobile (i.e. didn’t purchase a phone from them) so I can’t tether on iPhones other than those that Y mobile sells.

Ever since I got the Everyday Backpack, I’ve been carrying my laptop around more often.

everyday backpack sling docked with rimowa topas front
everydaybackpack sling docked with rimowa back
The more I have my laptop with me, the more the need to tether!

I’ve thought about getting an Android phone that could tether with a Y mobile SIM and swap out the SIM card from my iPhone 7 when I need to tether.
But I know that the hassle is going to be a pain in the butt.

I see three options:

  1. transfer back to docomo (bad from a cost perspective)
  2. wait until Y mobile allows tethering (bad in a sense that I don’t think it’s going to happen any time soon)
  3. transfer to another MVNO that allows tethering (bad in that I’ll incur termination costs to break the contract with Y mobile and I still won’t be sure of the internet speed at the new MVNO)

All my options are screwed!

Just when I thought I was cornered, I heard that UQ mobile’s network was pretty fast.
And they allow tethering on the iPhone 6!

If they allow it on the iPhone 6, it’s gotta be a matter of time before it’s allowed on the iPhone 7 right?!

If that is the case, then UQ mobile would be a strong candidate to switch over to.
But they don’t allow tethering on the iPhone 7 yet so what gives?

Just as I was about to dismiss the idea, I found out about this deal.

 

You can try out UQ mobile for 15 days, free of charge

You can sign up for the 15 day trial at UQ mobile’s website.
UQモバイル
I applied on Monday and the SIM card arrived on Tuesday.

Immediately after receiving it, I threw it into my iPhone 7, downloaded the APN settings and gave it a try!
Download APN settings here: http:// www.uqwimax.jp/support/mobile/guide/apn/UQmobile.mobileconfig

 

UQ mobile vs Y mobile (iPhone 7 A1660) speed test

UQ mobile was faster than Y mobile

Location: Tokyo, Minato Ku
Time: Weekday afternoon

 

UQ mobile

UQ mobile speed 1 uq mobile speed 2

 

Y mobile

ymobile speed 1 y mobile speed 2

UQ mobile beat Y mobile every time!
That’s pretty good!

 

Can you tether on the iPhone 7?

Unfortunately, no.
Come on people, give us a break.

 

Would I switch to UQ mobile?

The answer is no.

The speed seems reliable but it won’t let you tether on the iPhone 7 (yet).
Furthermore, UQ mobile only covers the au LTE area and doesn’t cover 3G so the coverage issue worries me a little.

But the experience was well worth it.
Now I know that some MVNOs can be faster or be at par with Y mobile.

 

I’m trying out mineo next

When you search for a fast MVNO that allows tethering with the iPhone 7, mineo frequently shows up as a candidate.
mineo was a MVNO that used the au network but now they also are on the docomo network as well.

The only concern is network speed so I ordered a SIM card with the cheapest monthly cost so that I can try it out and cancel the contract if it’s slow.
mineo
If it turns out to be anything close to Y mobile’s speed, I am switching over!

 

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