Free 3G Internet – How to Monetize?

This is my 1st post. Have been lurking and learning so far.

This post regards free usage of Internet data using a "pay as you go" / aka "pre-pay" SIM card.

The reason for this post is I want some advice on monetizing.

This is white-hat. Nothing I am doing is illegal or violating TOS.

I am located in an English speaking part of Western Europe. It has good Internet connectivity. It is "off-shore". Local agencies are "unsophisticated". Crime is low.

I won't explain all of the background, but I can purchase (for cash) SIM cards with a small amount of credit. These can be used without registration. All services work: voice, SMS text and Internet access. Voice and SMS usage is charged against the credit, but Internet data is not charged. Unlimited (or I have not found the limit) data can be used. 2G coverage is excellent. 3G in many locations.

Unlimited 3G Internet data can be used anonymously for free.

The only limit is that the SIM card must be credited at least once every year by $3. The credits can be purchased on-line or at retail outlets.

The SIMs can be used in tablets, phones, dongles and 3G routers which can then provide local wireless service or ethernet connectivity locally.

I have been using this facility myself for the last 3-4 years. It could be described as a "loophole" but it has not been closed in the last few years and I think the company concerned is unable to "fix" their platform for technical reasons.

I am not sure how to best monetize this knowledge and what services I can/should provide, but I can see 2 main possibilities:

- Low cost Internet connections for domestic, shop, bar, cafe use. 1 year of broadband in this location is approx $360 for a limited bandwidth service and around $450 for a unlimited bandwidth service. Also 12 or 18 month term contracts are required.

- Internet service where a temporary or mobile service is needed. Maybe taxi, logistics, pop-up shop, temporary exhibition or festival.

- Usage as an anonymous proxy.

I can assist physically setting up equipment locally using this 3G connection. The SIMs work in all the normal devices that use 2G/3G connections.

I still need to try speed tests in different locations to know what can be obtained.

This will not be suitable for huge bandwidth as FUP (Fair Usage Policy) may cut in at some point (although I have not found any restriction in my own use) but more likely, huge usage levels would eventually attract some attention and make it worthwhile for the telco to "fix" their platform.

Any helpful feedback please reply. PM if you prefer.

but only those who reside in ur country can use it right?

Open an online website selling those sim cards thrice the price...

And i'll be your first client if those sim cards work internationally ...

Let me know ..

Mr.Whitehat said:

but only those who reside in ur country can use it right?

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As a way to access the Internet - yes.

But if you wanted something hosted on the end of this connection - you could use that from anywhere. So you could use it as a proxy or in ways I don't even know about.

atti_dude said:

Open an online website selling those sim cards thrice the price...

And i'll be your first client if those sim cards work internationally ...

Let me know ..

Click to expand...

You can't use the free Internet/data when roaming - that would be too good.

Try to Sell SMS verifications for Gmail / Youtube / Facebook / Twitter / Flippa and many more site if you want to do a jv on that let me know we can have some deal together

jeanlance said:

Try to Sell SMS verifications for Gmail / Youtube / Facebook / Twitter / Flippa and many more site if you want to do a jv on that let me know we can have some deal together

Click to expand...

Can you explain how that would work?

Incoming calls and SMS are free. Data is free. Sending SMS is not free. Voice calls are not free.

Add me on skype : floralchamp

We can discuss further

Soupdragon said:

Can you explain how that would work?

Incoming calls and SMS are free. Data is free. Sending SMS is not free. Voice calls are not free.

Click to expand...

This seems to be a bit dodgy.

A few years back there was a sim network which would give free texts and calls. The network targeted and was only applicable to people between the ages of 16-24 years old.

The network stated that it was 100% free and "for college students", but it was actually a police network spying on people.

To make it seem legitimate they had people who would approach you in the city centre, like those people who hand out leaflets, only this time they were handing out sims to the demographic they were targeting.

When you obtained a sim, you then had to sign up to via their website, submitting a lot of information that raised great suspicion like your driving license number and passport etc.

This seems a tad bit strange that a network would give out free internet without a catch.

There's only one sim network I know that gives you free internet, but you have to watch ads in return.

stevefoxx said:

This seems to be a bit dodgy.

A few years back there was a sim network which would give free texts and calls. The network targeted and was only applicable to people between the ages of 16-24 years old.

The network stated that it was 100% free and "for college students", but it was actually a police network spying on people.

To make it seem legitimate they had people who would approach you in the city centre, like those people who hand out leaflets, only this time they were handing out sims to the demographic they were targeting.

When you obtained a sim, you then had to sign up to via their website, submitting a lot of information that raised great suspicion like your driving license number and passport etc.

This seems a tad bit strange that a network would give out free internet without a catch.

There's only one sim network I know that gives you free internet, but you have to watch ads in return.

Click to expand...

The facility that I describe is not promoted by the network. The people in their phone shop do not even know that data is not charged. If you mention data (on pre-paid service) they say you must opt-in to a service that costs $1.5 per day flat fee for every day that you use any data.

So this is pretty far from the scenario that you are describing. As for spying - probably less likely than what occurs in most countries. Local population is less than 100,000.

try selling these SIM to local business owner who paying high for their internet connection

or setup a online store to sell them

Soupdragon said:

Unlimited 3G Internet data can be used anonymously for free.

Click to expand...

Umm, is it really 'unlimited' as you say?

edithcowr said:

Umm, is it really 'unlimited' as you say?

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I will have to test it. I have not run in to any limit. If there is a limit it is probably 500MB per day.